Bright Adu

We report the draft genome sequences of six clinical hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from Ghana. These isolates carry critical hypervirulence determinants, including siderophores and hypermucoidy regulators. These genomic sequences significantly enrich the West African data set on hypervirulent K. pneumoniae , providing vital baselines to support the surveillance of emerging high-risk lineages.

Genomic data on clinically relevant bacteria of public health concern from sub-Saharan Africa are limited. In this study, we present the phenotypic profiles and genomic characteristics of four Shigella flexneri isolates recovered from untreated community wastewater samples in Ghana.

Under a One Health framework, viruses of veterinary and zoonotic importance pose significant threats to animal and human health, food security, and livelihoods, particularly in regions with intense human–animal interactions. In West Africa, despite recent advances in surveillance programs, important gaps remain in understanding viral diversity and cross-species transmission at wildlife–livestock interfaces. We conducted metagenomic surveillance to characterize viruses circulating across livestock, domestic animals, and wildlife in rural Ghana in 165 animals sampled across five regions. Viral RNA from serum and tissue samples was sequenced with the Illumina platform, and genomes were de novo assembled with MEGAHIT. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using Bayesian approaches. We report the first genomic sequences of porcine parvovirus 3, canine parvovirus, rotavirus A genotype R16, and bovine hepacivirus subtype B from Ghana in over a decade. Phylogenetic analyses revealed intercontinental linkages between Africa and Europe for parvoviruses, persistence of hepacivirus lineages, and evidence of cross-species transmission for rotavirus. Notably, detection in apparently healthy animals highlights underrecognized circulation, gaps in vaccination effectiveness, trade-related biosecurity vulnerabilities, and the role of wildlife in viral maintenance and transmission. Our findings reveal dynamic viral diversity and connectivity across animal populations and ecological interfaces, emphasizing the fluid and interconnected nature of pathogen circulation within One Health systems. By integrating metagenomics and phylogenetics, this study provides a scalable framework for enhancing surveillance capacity, enabling the early detection of emerging threats and informing targeted strategies to mitigate zoonotic and economically important viral diseases in West Africa.

Previous studies in Ghana indicated low prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and predominance of ST152 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) among clinical isolates. ST152 MRSA clones are associated with severe infections and epidemics. Using whole genome sequencing (WGS), 159 S . aureus isolated from clinical sources (wound, blood, urine, ear, abscess, umbilical cord, eye, vaginal samples, and others) from 10 hospitals across Ghana were investigated. mecA (gene for methicillin resistance) was detected in 38% of the isolates. Panton–Valentine leucocidin toxin (PVL) gene occurred in 65% isolates, with 84% of the MRSA’s harboring the PVL gene. ST152 was the major clone, with 74% harboring the mecA gene. Other MRSA clones detected were ST5, ST5204, ST852, and ST1. MSSA clones included ST3249, ST152, ST5, ST1, and ST8. Twenty-three genes encoding resistance to 12 antimicrobial classes were observed with blaZ (97%) being the most prevalent. Other predominant resistance genes included tetK (46%), cat (42%), and dfrG (36%) encoding resistance for tetracyclines, phenicols, and diaminopyrimidine, respectively. Virulence genes for enterotoxins, biofilms, toxic-shock-syndrome toxins, hemolysins , and leukotoxins were also detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a shift in the dominant clone from MSSA ST152 to MRSA ST152 over the past decade. The study provides valuable insights into the genomic content of S. aureus from clinical sources in Ghana. The finding of ST152 MRSA in high numbers suggests a shifting epidemiological landscape of these pathogens and continuous surveillance using robust tools like WGS is needed to monitor the rise and spread of these epidemic clones in the country. IMPORTANCE: Since its emergence in 1959, MRSA has been a significant public health concern, causing infections in both clinical and community settings. Patients with MRSA-related infections experience higher mortality rates due to its ability to evade antimicrobials and immune defenses. In Ghana, understanding the molecular epidemiology of MRSA has been hindered by the lack of appropriate laboratory infrastructure and the limited capacity for molecular data analysis. This study, the largest genomic study of S. aureus in Ghana, addresses this gap by utilizing whole genome sequencing to examine the diversity of circulating S. aureus strains from 10 hospitals. Our findings highlight the predominance of pandemic clones, particularly ST152, and the notable transition of ST152 MSSA to ST152 MRSA over the past decade. The findings from this study supports AMR surveillance efforts in Ghana and emphasize the importance of implementing genomic surveillance using WGS to comprehensively monitor the rise and spread of multi-drug-resitant organisms such as MRSA in the country.

Escherichia coli, a member of the commensal intestinal microbiota, is a significant aetiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and has a propensity for acquiring multidrug resistance characteristics, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). Despite the increase in the incidence of ESBL-producing E. coli infections in sub-Saharan Africa, routine ESBL detection in Ghana is often absent, and molecular data on ESBL genotypes is scarce. Eleven ESBL-producing E. coli recovered from mid-stream urine samples were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequence analyses. All isolates exhibited multidrug resistance, demonstrating phenotypic resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, such as cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and cefpodoxime. Three isolates demonstrated resistance to norfloxacin (a fluoroquinolone), and one isolate demonstrated intermediate resistance to ertapenem (a carbapenem). Analysis of the draft genomes identified multiple antimicrobial resistance genes including ESBL genotypes bla_{TEM-1B/TEM-190} (6/11 and 1/11, respectively), bla_{CTX-M-15/CTX-M-3} (7/11 and 1/11) and bla_{OXA-1/OXA-181} (3/11 and 1/11). The strains belong to 10 different serotypes and 10 different multilocus sequence types. This study provides information on phenotypic resistance in 11 ESBL E. coli from Ghana and AMR genotypes within their genomes.

BACKGROUND: Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines aim to interrupt the transmission of malaria from one person to another. METHODS: The candidates R0.6C and ProC6C share the 6C domain of the Plasmodium falciparum sexual-stage antigen Pfs48/45. R0.6C utilizes the glutamate-rich protein (GLURP) as a carrier, and ProC6C includes a second domain (Pfs230-Pro) and a short 36–amino acid circumsporozoite protein (CSP) sequence. Healthy adults ( n = 125) from a malaria-endemic area of Burkina Faso were immunized with 3 intramuscular injections, 4 weeks apart, of 30 μg or 100 μg R0.6C or ProC6C each adsorbed to Alhydrogel (AlOH) adjuvant alone or in combination with Matrix-M (15 μg or 50 μg, respectively). The allocation was random and double-blind for this phase I trial. RESULTS: The vaccines were safe and well tolerated with no vaccine-related serious adverse events. A total of 7 adverse events, mild to moderate in intensity and considered possibly related to the study vaccines, were recorded. Vaccine-specific antibodies were highest in volunteers immunized with 100 μg ProC6C-AlOH with Matrix-M, and 13 of 20 (65%) individuals in the group showed greater than 80% transmission-reducing activity (TRA) when evaluated in the standard membrane feeding assay at 15 mg/mL IgG. In contrast, R0.6C induced sporadic TRA. CONCLUSION: All formulations were safe and well tolerated in a malaria-endemic area of Africa in healthy adults. The ProC6C-AlOH/Matrix-M vaccine elicited the highest levels of functional antibodies, meriting further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry (https://pactr.samrc.ac.za) PACTR202201848463189. FUNDING: The study was funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (grant RIA2018SV-2311).

Background Fc gamma receptors (FcγR) are cell surface glycoproteins that bind to the Fc portions of immunoglobulin IgG antibodies to elicit diverse effector functions. Polymorphisms in different FcγR genes have been associated with HIV infection and vaccine trial outcomes. Some studies have suggested that FcγRIIa may be a marker of latent reservoir size, however, this remains controversial. Hence whether FcγRIIa and other Fc receptors have functional consequences on the size or reactivation capacity of the reservoir needs to be investigated. Methods In this pilot study, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FcγRIIIa, FcγRIIa, and FcγRIIb genes were determined by Sanger sequencing in 50 HIV-infected ART-suppressed individuals. HIV reservoir size was determined by quantifying total HIV DNA (vDNA) and cell-associated unspliced (US) HIV RNA by qPCR. Association analysis was performed using three coding SNPs, one per gene (FcγRIIIa-rs396991, FcγRIIa-rs1801274, and FcγRIIb-rs1050501). Results The median reservoir size as estimated by vDNA copy number was 116 (range, 1 - 5798) copies/million cells and US RNA was detectable in 15 out of the 50 samples. Our analysis found the median reservoir size was almost 3 times larger in males compared to females who are suppressed (p=0.038). Conclusion Reservoir size was observed to be larger in younger patients compared to those older, however, not statistically significant. However, there was no significant associations between the FcγR SNPs and HIV vDNA or US RNA. Studies in larger cohorts are necessary to explore associations between FcγR polymorphisms and HIV reservoir. Funding: EDCTP-AREF TMA2018PF-2535