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Marburg haemorrhagic fever: recent advances

B AdegborO, OA Adeola

 

Abstract

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of etiologically diverse viral diseases unified by common underlying pathophysiology. These febrile diseases result from infection by viruses from four viral families: Arenaviridae, Bunyaviridae, Filoviridae, and Flaviviridae. The viruses in the four families are all RNA viruses. All share the feature of having a lipid envelope. Survival and perpetuation of the viruses is dependent on an animal host known as a natural reservoir, but humans are not the natural reservoir. With the exception of a vaccine for yellow fever and ribavirin, which is used for treatment of some arenaviral infections, no specific chemotherapy for viral hemorrhagic fever exists. Only supportive treatment is possible The filoviruses, Marburg virus (MARV) and Ebola virus (EBOV), have been associated with hemorrhagic fever (HF) that produce severe disease and high mortality rates among infected humans and non-human primates. MARV and EBOV are also considered potential biological weapons. Although much progress has been made in developing preventive vaccines and postexposure interventions that can protect laboratory animals and nonhuman primates against lethal challenge with MARV, none of these has been approved for humans. Because MARV haemorrhagic fever, when it occurs, has the potential to spread to other people especially health care staff and family members who care for the patient, there is need for periodic review of recent developments relating especially to its diagnosis and treatment. This would help to increase awareness among health-care providers and limit the spread of the disease during outbreaks.

Keywords: Marburg virus, viral haemorrhagic fever, recent advances

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Marburg haemorrhagic fever recent advances

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Diphtheria mortality in Nigeria: the need to stock diphtheria antitoxin

Diphtheria mortality in Nigeria: the need to stock diphtheria antitoxin

AE Sadoh, WE Sadoh

 

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Diphtheria had been a major of cause of childhood mortality until the advent of an effective vaccine. Even in Nigeria with low to moderate coverage with the third dose of DPT the number of reported cases of diphtheria had been reducing. However, in a recent report we noted an increase in the incidence of diphtheria. The mainstay of management of diphtheria is the Diphtheria antitoxin. Diphtheria antitoxin is not available in Nigeria. We present the mortalities from diphtheria to highlight the need to stock the diphtheria antitoxin.
METHODOLOGY: A review of the case notes of patients managed for diphtheria between August 2008 and 2010 was done and relevant data extracted.
RESULTS: Nine cases of diphtheria were seen and three mortalities were recorded giving a mortality rate of 33.3%. One of the deaths was from myocardial involvement and acute renal failure while another was from possible septicaemia. The third mortality occurred at home after discharge from hospital
DISCUSSION: Most of the symptoms of diphtheria are due to the effects of the diphtheria exotoxin. The non availability of the antitoxin for the management of these children contributed to their mortality.
CONCLUSION: As long as diphtheria remains uneradicated the need for the antitoxin is imperative.
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Bacteriological analysis of well water samples in Sagamu

AO Idowu, BB Oluremi, KM Odubawo

 

Abstract

Majority of the population in semi-urban and urban areas of Nigeria depend on wells as their source of water supply. Due to increasing cases of water-borne diseases in recent times, this study was carried out to examine the microbial quality of well water in Sagamu, Nigeria as a way of safeguarding public health against water borne diseases. Water samples from a total of forty wells, covered and uncovered from four different locations of varying socio economic and demographic status were assessed for their bacteriological quality using serial dilution to obtain total bacteria count and the multiple tube fermentation technique to determine the coliform count using the most probable number method. Positive tubes of the presumptive test were further cultured on appropriate solid media. The organisms isolated were further characterized using standard procedures. The result of the study revealed that all the wells were grossly contaminated with bacteria pathogens such as Klebsiella spp (95%), Escherichia coli (72%) and Salmonella typhi (32.5%). Comparatively, the uncovered wells were more highly contaminated with bacteria pathogens than the covered well especially in the highly populated areas. All the water samples exceeded the standard limit of the most probable number (MPN) per 100ml set for untreated drinking water. This result highlight the fact that most well water in Sagamu metropolis are not safe microbiologically for drinking without additional treatment such as boiling or disinfection and this could lead to outbreak of water borne diseases. Good and proper environmental and personal hygiene must be maintained especially by the users of those wells to prevent their contamination with bacterial pathogens.

Keywords: Well water, bacteriological analysis, bacterial pathogens, water borne, diseases

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Bacteriological analysis of well water samples in Sagamu

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Prevalence of septicaemia and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bacterial isolates at the University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon

H.L.F Kamga, A.L Njunda, P.E Nde, J.C.N Assob, D.S Nsagha, P Weledji

 

Abstract

Bloodstream infections are important causes of mortality and morbidity. Rapid empiric antibiotic therapy is often needed. Knowledge of epidemiological data of common pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern is needed for rapid therapy. This study was aimed at determining the common causes of septicaemia and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern from the University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé. Blood samples were collected and cultured aerobically. Isolates were identified using bacteriological and biochemical methods and antibiotic sensitivity was done using the Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion method. Results showed that of the 396 patients examined 112 (28.3%) had septicaemia. Children below the age of 15 years constituted the greatest percentage of infected subjects (63.4%) followed by patients aged between 16-30 years (10.7%) (P < 0.05). The highest incidence of septicaemia were from medicine (8.95‰), followed by paediatrics (7.04‰), surgery (6.46 ‰), out-patients (5.79‰), neonatology (5.12‰), obstetrics and gynaecology (5.05‰) and emergency (2.05‰) wards. The overall incidence of septicaemia was 5.79 per 1000 admissions. Gram-positive bacteria were encountered more often than gram negative bacteria (56.2% versus 43.8%, P<0.05). Among the gram-positive bacteria, 52 (82.5%) were Staphylococci; 6 (9.5%) were Streptococcus species; while 5 (7.9%) were unidentified grampositive bacteria. Among gram-negative bacteria, Enterobacteriacea 39 (79.6%) and non-fermenting bacteria 10 (20.1 %) were more frequent. Staphylococci were generally sensitive to Minocyclin and Rifampin (90%) while Enterobacteriaceae were most sensitive to Cefoxitin (71%) and Aztreonam (74%). Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus and Salmonella typhi are the leading causes of bacteraemia among patients attending the University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé

Keywords: Septicaemia, antibiotic sensitivity, Cameroon

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Prevalence of septicaemia and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bacterial isolates at the University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon

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Hand hygiene amongst dental professionals in a tertiary dental clinic

J.J Omogbai, C.C Azodo, A.O Ehizele, A Umoh

 

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate hand washing attitude and practices among Dentists and Dental Students treating patients in a Nigerian Tertiary Dental Clinic. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of Dentists and Dental Students treating patients in University of Benin Teaching Hospital was conducted between February and March 2010. Data collection tool was a 28-item, self-administered questionnaire, which elicited information on demography, handwashing practices, material used for handwashing, methods ofdrying hands after washing, attitudes towards prevention of spread of infection by handwashing measures in dental practice, barrier to regular hand washing, information need on handwashing and mode in which they would desire to receive the needed information. Results: One-quarter (25.7%) of the respondents washes their hands before wearing gloves and 98.1% wash their hands when they are visibly soiled. Less than half (46.7%) washed their hand when the worn gloves are torn. Majority strongly agreed that hand washing helps to prevent transmission of infection to patients (91.4%), health workers (92.4%) and health workers family members (89.5%). The main barriers to regular hand hygiene were inadequate facilities, forgetfulness and lack of time. About 69.5% desired more information on hand hygiene with the most indicated area of information needs being the indications and steps in hand washing in form of seminars and pamphlets. Conclusion: This study revealed positive attitude to hand washing, inadequate hand washing practices and poor monitoring of hand hygiene in the health institution. The studied dental professionals however know that hand washing plays an important role in the prevention of cross infection.

Keywords: hand hygiene, dental professionals, tertiary, dental clinic, infection control

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Hand hygiene amongst dental professionals in a tertiary dental clinic

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Biofilm, dental unit water line and its control

I Liaqat, A.N Sabri

 

Abstract

Biofilms are well-organized communities of cooperating microorganisms that can include bacteria, algae, fungi and diatoms. Dental unit waterlines (DUWL) are an integral part of dental surgery equipment, supplying water as a coolant, primarily for air turbine and ultrasonic scalers. Surveys of dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) indicate that biofilm formation is a universal problem and great majority of bacteria that have been identified from DUWL are ubiquitous, although present in only low numbers in domestic water distribution systems, but can flourish as biofilms on the lumen surfaces of narrow-bore waterlines in dental units. DUWL contamination and its significance as a factor in nosocomial infection of patients and health care workers has stressed the risk to  immunocompromized persons. Not only patients but also dentists and dental personnel are at risk of being infected with opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas or Legionella species by means of cross-infection or after aerosol formation from water emanating from DUWL. Several methods of decreasing the level of contamination in DUWL have been proposed. At present, the goal of this review is to discuss various aspects of biofilm formation and effective standardized disinfecting methods to maintain low bacterial counts in dental water line. This will increase the awareness of potential health risks posed by biofilm formation and provide information on techniques and devices designed to control the microbial contamination of DUWLs.

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Biofilm dental unit water line and its control

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An evaluation study of the sputum smear concentration technique for the laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis

H.L.F Kamga, P Weledji, N.P Fon, A.S Atah

 

Abstract

The microbial diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis plays a key role in routine treatment and Tuberculosis control Programmes in developing countries. Many patients have presented with signs and symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis, of which consecutive direct sputum smear microscopy have given negative results for Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB). Microscopy of smears made directly from sputum has a low sensitivity and there is an urgent need for improved methods. This study was carried out at the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital and is aimed at evaluating the sputum smear concentration technique in the laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary TB. Sputum samples were collected in screw-cap tight containers and evaluated by both the direct and concentrated methods. Microscopy of direct smears of sputum after liquefaction with 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution; and concentration of the organisms by centrifugation were compared and evaluated. Results showed an increase in sensitivity from 18.27% to 25% with a specificity of 90.95%. The tuberculosis prevalence was 25%. 13.33% belongs to the age range 20-40 years and 11.67% to the age range >40 years. The positive predictive value was 73%. We concluded that the use of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in the concentration of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in sputum significantly improves the laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Keywords: Sputum smear concentration, Laboratory diagnosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis

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An evaluation study of the sputum smear concentration technique for the laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis

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Retracted: Influence of phenotypes on immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria among women in parts of the Imo River Basin, Nigeria.

U.M Chukwuocha, I.N.S Dozie, K.K Ashiegbu, C.O.E Onwuliri, O.C Aguwa, E.A Nwoke, O.G Nwoke, J.C Nwokoro, I.C Nwawume

 

Abstract

This article has been retracted by the editor of African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology on 10/02/2014. For further information please contact the editor: ajcem2002@yahoo.com

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Retracted Influence of phenotypes on immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria among women in parts of the Imo River Basin, Nigeria.

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Symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis: knowledge, perceptions and treatment modalities among pregnant women of an urban settlement in West Africa

G.T.A Jombo, M.T Akpera, S.M Hemba, K.I Eyong

 

Abstract

Background The use of oral contraceptive pills are increasingly becoming popular among women in both urban and rural Nigerian settings, its perceived association with gynaecologic infections not withstanding. Aim: To ascertain the rate of urogenital candidiasis among women on oral contraceptive pills (OCP) in Gboko town. Methods: All the willing women on OCP attending family planning clinic and Comprehensive health centre in Gboko were consecutively recruited in the month of September, 2009. Questionnaires were used to obtain relevant data such as age, marital status, occupation and urogenital symptoms. Urine, High vaginal swab and Endocervical swab specimens were subsequently collected, transported and processed for isolation of microorganisms using standard laboratory procedures. Results The rate of urogenital candidiasis among the 153 women on OCP was significantly higher 36.5% compared to the control 20.3% (P< 0.05) in as much as their general knowledge about the disease was poor; similarly, genitourinary symptoms were recorded in 22.2% of the women on OCP as compared to the 5.2% in the control group (P< 0.001) and was significantly higher among the singles, separated, widowed and separated (64.4- 64.7%) compared to the married 27% (P< 0.05). 79.4% of the symptomatic infections were caused by Candida spp. Conclusion Women should be properly counselled and health educated on the need for prompt and adequate treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis while facilities for appropriate treatment and proper laboratory diagnosis provided.

Key Words: Oral contraceptive pills, Urogenital candidiasis, women

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Symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis knowledge perceptions and treatment modalities among pregnant women of an urban settlement in West Africa