El-Rufai’s medical report shows drug-resistant bacterium in blood test; doctors flag possible sepsis

A blood culture from former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, 66, detected a bacterium resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin, and his doctors listed possible sepsis among their concerns, according to two medical documents dated October 22 reported by Sahara Reporters.

El-Rufai is in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) while it prosecutes him. The documents do not connect his detention to the finding.

A Cerba Lancet Nigeria laboratory report said aerobic and anaerobic blood cultures grew Enterococcus faecium within 24 to 48 hours. It identified the organism as vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, listing vancomycin as resistant and several other antibiotics as effective, including ampicillin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, minocycline and linezolid. The report is marked interim and states: “Final Verified Report to Follow.” The final result is therefore pending.

A separate report from ASK+ Medical & Diagnostics recorded the finding and set out his history and assessment. It describes a man with high blood fats, persistent headaches and insomnia who presented with mild headache and dizziness, with a reported history of low blood pressure. The clinical impression was dehydration with resistant malaria and possible sepsis, with a suspected focus near the navel.

His blood pressure was recorded at 93/70 mmHg, his pulse at 68 beats per minute, his temperature at 36.2°C and his oxygen saturation at 98 per cent on room air. He showed no apparent respiratory or painful distress. Other tests, including a full blood count, malaria test, kidney and liver function tests, fasting lipid profile, blood glucose, urinalysis and HbA1c, were within normal limits.

The documents contain apparent inconsistencies. One section describes him as mildly dehydrated while the physical examination says he was not, and the gentamicin result is presented differently across the laboratory’s aerobic and anaerobic culture sections, which requires clarification from the laboratory.

Despite the normal results elsewhere, the positive blood culture prompted a recommendation for further evaluation. Doctors advised admission for at least three days for observation, intravenous fluids and medication, with the culture and sensitivity results reviewed alongside an infectious disease physician before choosing intravenous antibiotics. The options listed included Augmentin, Gentalex, L-Flox and linezolid, subject to further clinical assessment.