Bukola Ajide

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) during pregnancy are a significant public health concern due to their potential risk to maternal and child health. Among other prevalent organisms, Enterococcus faecalis has emerged as a key pathogen, with virulence genes, biofilm-forming ability, and multidrug resistance as significant pathogenic properties. Objective: This review examines the pathogenic mechanisms, diagnostic innovations, treatment challenges, and alternative therapeutic strategies for E. faecalis-induced UTIs during pregnancy. Methods: A literature review was conducted to examine virulence factors, diagnostic advancements, conventional antibiotic therapies, and emerging alternatives. Results: E. faecalis exhibits multiple virulence traits, including adhesion proteins (Agg, Ace), gelatinase, hemolysin, and surface proteins (Esp), which facilitate colonisation, immune evasion, and biofilm formation. Diagnostic innovations such as molecular assays, metabolomics-based biomarkers, microfluidic platforms, and AI-assisted urinalysis have improved the accuracy of rapid detection. While nitrofurantoin has remained a reliable antimicrobial agent, because of its low resistance profile, emerging antimicrobial resistance necessitates the exploration of alternative approaches. These include phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, immunotherapy, probiotics, and herbal adjuncts. Effective campaigns towards antibiotic stewardship and combination therapy are also critical in managing recurrent and resistant infections. Conclusion: Effective management of urinary tract infections caused by E. faecalis during pregnancy requires a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates advanced technologies, targeted therapeutics, and preventive strategies to improve outcomes and combat antimicrobial resistance.

Aim: This study was carried out to investigate the microbial load and nutritional qualities of fermented Ugba Study Design: This research study was done using random sampling technique. Place and Duration of Study: Mbaise Markets, Mbaise, Imo State; Department of Microbiology, Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, between October 2014 and March 2015. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 samples of ugba were purchased from different locations in Mbaise markets - Orie-Ikpa, Nkwo-Ogwu, Orie-Amaigwe and Afor-Ajaala. Pour plate technique was used for enumeration while streak plate method was used for isolation. Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Eosin methylene blue agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar were used to determine total aerobic plate count, coliform count, Escherichia coli and fungal count respectively. Results: For Total Aerobic Plate Count (TAPC), Afor-Ajaala had the highest count (8.05±0.11 log₁₀ cfu/g) while Orie-Ikpa had the lowest count (7.98±0.14 log₁₀ cfu/g). For Colony Count (CC), Orie-Ikpa had the highest count (5.88±0.17 log₁₀ cfu/g) while Orie-Amaigwe had the lowest count (5.75±0.15 log₁₀ cfu/g). For E. coli Count (EC) counts, Nkwo-Ogwu market had the highest (4.34±0.40 log₁₀ cfu/g) while Orie-Amaigwe had the least (4.12±0.30 log₁₀ cfu/g). For Fungi Count (FC), Nkwo-Ogwu had the highest count (5.27±0.48 log₁₀ cfu/g) while Orie-Ikpa had the least count (5.03±0.48 log₁₀ cfu/g). Bacteria isolated include Staphylococcus sp (80%), Bacillus sp (95%), Lactobacillus sp (90%), Klebsiella sp (35%) and Escherichia coli (35%). Fungi isolates were Aspergillus spp (45%), Penicillium spp (35%) and Saccharomyces spp (100%). The proximate analysis (%/100 g) yielded crude protein content (29.3), ash content (8.83), crude fibre (5.75), moisture content (33.7), lipid (18.32), Carbohydrate (3.55) and dry mass (66.23). Conclusion: This study revealed that consumers of Ugba processed or sold in poorly sanitized condition are exposed to food poisoning and gastroenteritis, hence, the need to control microbial growth on Ugba sold in Imo State. However, Ugba prepared and sold in a hygienic environment serves as an adequate proteinaceous food.