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PCR Detection of Entamoeba histolytica in Microscopically Positive Stool Samples of Hospital Patients in Soroti, Eastern Uganda

J Ekou, JI Nakavuma, J Erume, M Ocaido

 

Abstract

Amoebiasis is an infection caused by water borne protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. In Uganda where sanitation infrastructure and health education was not adequate, amoebiasis was thought to be still an important health problem. However there was little or no data on prevalence of this very important protozoan infection. In addition, microscopy remained the main method for the diagnosis of amoebiasis but could not differentiate between Entamoeba dispar/moshkovskii and Entamoeba histolytica infections. This made determination of true prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infections difficult. It was against this background that this study was designed to carry out species specific diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar/moshkovskii in Uganda where these species had been reported to be endemic. This study used microscopy and polymerase chain reaction amplification of Serine-rich Entamoeba histolytica (SREHP) gene. It was shown that 36.7% (n=22) of the samples initially diagnosed as positive by microscopy were positive by PCR. The true prevalence of E. histolytica and E.dispar/ moshkovskii was found to be 7.31% and 12.6% respectively. It was concluded that Entamoeba infection in Soroti, Eastern Uganda is more frequently due to E. dispar /moshkovskii (13.3%) the non-pathogenic forms than to E. histolytica, the pathogen (7.31%).

Key words: Entamoeba histolytica, Microscopy, Polymerase chain reaction, Prevalence.

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PCR Detection of Entamoeba histolytica in Microscopically Positive Stool Samples of Hospital Patients in Soroti, Eastern Uganda

 

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Molecular Identification of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Benin-City Nigeria

O Obasuyi

 

Abstract

We use the molecular techniques of PCR and PFGE to identify MRSA from clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus causing infections among hospitalized patients in Benin-City, Nigeria. A total of 36 isolates were obtained from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between July-September, 2007. The MRSA strains were selected according to their phenotypic characteristics (antibiotic resistant profiles), susceptibility to oxacillin by E-test, and detection of β-lactamase. This was verified by a latex agglutination test for PBP2a production combined with PCR for mecA gene carriage. Four isolates representing 11% were confirmed as MRSA according to the molecular techniques used with two PFGE types (H and L) and one agr type (1). Multi resistance to the various antibiotics used was observed in one of the clones. The isolation of MRSA in health institution indicates that adequate steps in limiting spread are urgently needed. Also, for the first time two MRSA clones according to the PFGE classifications have been identified in Nigeria.

Keywords: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, PFGE, PCR, molecular techniques.

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Molecular Identification of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Benin-City Nigeria

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Evaluation of Usefulness of Polymerase Chain Reaction in the Diagnosis of Malaria in Nigeria

DO Ogbolu, OA Terry Alli, AS Nassar, OO Ajagbe

 

Abstract

Microscopy has been the most common technique for the diagnosis of malaria in south western Nigeria. This study was undertaken to determine the efficiency of PCR for malaria diagnosis in south western Nigeria. A total of 450 samples submitted for malaria diagnosis at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife between the months of January and December, 2009 were used. Methods used included Giemsa staining procedure for estimation of parasite densities and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of malaria parasite in the whole blood. Using microscopy as reference gold standard, patients comprising 120 males and 330 females with age ranging between less than 1 and 60 samples were used. In all, about 255 (56.7 %) of the samples were positive for microscopy, while 75 (16.7 %) with high parasitaemia on microscopy were positive for PCR analysis. The study concluded that PCR for diagnosis of malaria has sensitivity of 29.4% and specificity of 100% using crude method of DNA extraction while the use of DNA extraction kit has sensitivity of 90.2% and specificity of 100%, hence effort should be geared towards increasing the sensitivity and reduce the cost of doing the test in low resource country like Nigeria.

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Group B Streptococcus Carriage during Late Pregnancy in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

A Onipede, O Adefusi, A Adeyemi, E Adejuyigbe, A Oyelese, T Ogunniyi

 

Abstract

This study determined the prevalence of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in late pregnancy and the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated GBS as well as the impact of GBS infections on pregnancy related clinical outcome with a view of providing an epidemiological baseline data for policy formulation in the teaching hospital. It is an observational and cross-sectional hospital based study. One hundred and fifty pregnant women from 35-40 weeks of gestation were purposively selected and included in the study from May to December 2010. Vaginal swab samples were aseptically collected from the subjects after informed consent. The samples were assayed for presence of GBS. The susceptibility pattern of the isolated GBS to different antibiotics were assessed using disc diffusion and agar dilution techniques based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards institute(CLSI) standards. The result showed prevalence of 11.3% GBS vaginal colonization which increased with age. There was no significant association between GBS colonization status and age (p >0.05)), gestational age (p >0.05)), gravidity (p >0.05) and obstetric risk factors (p >0.05)). There was no incidence of GBS infection observed. Although, all (17) the GBS isolates were 100% resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, cefoxitin and clindamycin. Resistance to cefotaxime (11.8%), erythromycin (64.7%) and vancomycin 70.6% were observed. Group B Streptococcus colonization in vagina in late pregnancy has been established in the antenatal clinic of the teaching hospital with the attendant risk to the fetus in the population of those affected. There were high and multiple resistance patterns of the GBS isolates to different antibiotics in this study. This calls for a review of the present hospital policy to include the routine screening of GBS during antenatal visits and surveillance.
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Epidemiological Significance of the Colonization of Streptococcus Agalactiae in the Anorectum and Endocervix of Non-Parturients in Jos, Nigeria

DS Nsagha, HLF Kamga, JCN Assob, AL Njunda, CSS Bello, YT Kandakai-Olukemi

 

Abstract

Knowledge of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) carriage and infections in Africa is very scanty but few cases have been reported in Nigeria in particular. Streptococcus agalactiae has been reported to cause infections and diseases in non-parturients and adults ranging from bacteremia, osteomylitis, arthritis, and endocarditis to breast abscess among others, hence the necessity for this study. Fifty six non-pregnant women of different age groups and social status were screened for GBS in Plateau State Specialist Hospital using the Christie, Atkins and Munch-Petersen (CAMP) and hippurate hydrolysis tests. Two (3.6 %) of the 56 women were positive for GBS. The 2 isolates were all from the anorectum. The endocervix yielded no culture. The antibiogram showed that ampicillin is the drug of choice with all isolates (100%) sensitive to the drug. No statistically significant relationship was observed between the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients and GBS carriage (P>0.05). This survey shows a much lower carriage proportion than that reported in Ibadan, Nigeria from non-parturients.

Key words: Streptococcus agalactiae, epidemiology, anorectum, endocervix, non-parturients

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Epidemiological Significance of the Colonization of Streptococcus Agalactiae in the Anorectum and Endocervix of Non-Parturients in Jos, Nigeria

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The Aetiology of Enteric Fever in Abuja, North Central Nigeria

IC Peletiri, NKO Ibecheozor

 

Abstract

Enteric fever is caused by Salmonella enterica serotype typhi, Salmonella paratyphi A, B, C, and Salmonella typhimurium respectively. Of the 2818 blood cultures reviewed, only 90 (3.2%) had positive cultures for Salmonella species while the 10,007 faecal samples cultured, 159 (1.6%) were positive for Salmonella species. Identification of isolates was by usual bacteriological techniques including biochemical and serological methods. Percentage occurrence of Salmonella species in blood and faecal samples show Salmonella enterica serotype typhi (75.6% and 59.8%), Salmonella paratyphi A (4.4% and 9.4%), Salmonella paratyphi B (17.8% and 19.5%), Salmonella paratyphi C (2.2% and 6.3%) and Salmonella typhimurium (0.0% and 5.0%). The susceptibility pattern of all the isolates to the eleven drugs used as listed on table iii is highly revealing. For epidemiological status and proper management of patients, it is necessary that appropriate specimens (blood, bone marrow and faecal cultures) are examined and identification of isolates carried out as well as proper sensitivity testing performed prior to treatment for enteric fever.

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The Aetiology of Enteric Fever in Abuja, North Central Nigeria

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The Influence of Gestational Age on the Loss of Maternal Measles Antibodies in Newborn Infants in North-Eastern Nigeria: A Call for a Review of Measles Immunization Schedule

UA Baba, MA Bello, RT Akuhwa, AM Alhaji, JS Dawurung, S Pius, G Saidu

 

Abstract

Background: Maternal measles antibodies (MMA) are actively transferred in mother-infant pairs during third trimester of pregnancy. Gestational age (GA) affects the levels of MMA such that longer GA may result in infants starting out with high levels of MMA.
Objective: To determine the influence of GA on the loss of MMA in newborn infants in North-Eastern Nigeria.
Method: A prospective study was conducted on newborn infants at Maiduguri; sera were collected at birth and at six months of age. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure MMA while GA was determined using the last menstrual period, ultrasound scan reports and the Dubowitz criteria.
Results: Seventy eight newborn infants were enrolled. Seventeen (89.5 %) preterm, 43 (95.6 %) term and 14 (100 %) postterm had protective levels of MMA at birth. Two (10.5 %) preterm, nine (20.0%) term and two (14.3 %) postterm had protective MMA at six months of age. Comparison of mean MMA at birth and at six months of age was significant (p = 0.005), however, it was independent of GA of the newborn infants.
Conclusion: Significant decline of mean MMA levels was seen in these infants at six months of age, which was independent of their GA. These infants may be prone to measles at an earlier age (less than six months). Therefore, the current recommendation of measles immunization to infants at nine months of age may require reconsideration.
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Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Patients Diagnosed with HIV in Accra and Kumasi Metropolis

I Baidoo, RR Boatin, T Adom, D Datohe, T Voure, D Bansa, C Brown, A Diaba

 

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is RNA virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). In Ghana the AIDS epidemic is spreading very fast in densely populated areas with higher numbers of cases occurring in the southern regions especially the densely populated capitals such as Kumasi, Koforidua and Accra as well as mining towns like Obuasi and Tarkwa, and in border towns. Data was collected from Accra and Kumasi on socio-economic backgrounds such as age, sex, education, marital status, household size, among others with a structured questionnaire and analysed using statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. About 72% females and 28% males were interviewed with close to 74% lying between 22 to 40 age brackets. Also 63% of these completed JHS/Middle school, Seventeen (36.1%) are married people, 15 (31.9%) widowed. Majority of them are Akans who are also Christians with different denominations. Among these people, 20 (42.6%) of them are unemployed, and 3 (6.4%) claimed to be self-employed in various disciplines. Most of them said they use condoms as contraceptives in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Income level of the respondents predominantly lies between GH¢50.00- GH¢450.00 per annum. Some of the interventions for preventing the disease include promoting abstinence and faithfulness, promoting reductions in the number of sexual partners, encouraging delays in the onset of sexual activity among others.
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Pattern of Microbial Colonization of the Vagina of Diabetics in Ibadan, Nigeria

AA Oni, DO Ogbolu, OA Daini, N Abdulrahaman, BA Ugbe

 

Abstract

The pattern of microbial flora of the vagina of diabetics was studied, to advise on empirical regimen for the treatment of sepsis in diabetics with the lower genital tract as source. In 2003, microscopy, culture and sensitivity of high vaginal swabs from 60 consecutive non-insulin-dependent diabetics and 20 non-diabetics attending Oluyoro Catholic Hospital, Ibadan were done. The fasting plasma glucose was estimated. The prevalence of micro-organisms decreased with duration of diabetes. The isolates were Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida species, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Klebsiella species, Enterococcus faecalis, and viridans Streptococcus. Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli were incriminated in Gram negative bacilli (GNB) bacteraemia in diabetics in this environment. In addition to metronidazole, ceftazidime or ceftriazone should be used as first line drugs, while the quinolones should be reserved for the treatment of sepsis in diabetics where lower genital tract is the likely source of infection.
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Efficacy of Three Disinfectant Formulations against Multidrug Resistant Nosocomial Agents

OS Alabi, EA Sanusi

 

Abstract

The current increase in the prevalence of nosocomial infections within the hospital environment despite adequate cleaning and disinfection can be said to be due to the following: (i) ineffectiveness of the various disinfectant formulations used in infection control on the various hospital equipments and wards; (ii) development of resistance to the various chemical disinfectant formulations been used in the hospitals by the various microorganisms. Ten bacteria isolates from different clinical specimens of hospitalized patients identified using standard bacteriological methods and found after screening to be resistant to two or more classes of the antibiotics: cephalosporins, quinolones, Betalactams, nitrofuran, macrolide and an aminoglycoside using the Kirby-Bauer method of disc diffusion test were used in this study. These were subjected to susceptibility testing against three selected disinfectant formulations (Izal, Dettol and Jik) at the manufacturer’s dilutions and half the dilutions prescribed on their labels by using agar diffusion method. Out of these clinical isolates used in this study, 5 (50%) and 2 (20%) were resistant to manufacturer’s dilution and half the dilution of Dettol respectively, 9 (90%) and 6 (60%) to manufacturer’s dilution and half the dilution of Izal respectively while 1 (10%) and 0 (0%) were resistant to manufacturer’s dilution and half the dilution of Jik respectively. The resistance demonstrated by some of the nosocomial agents in this study against the selected disinfectant formulations at their manufacturer’s dilution and half the prescribed dilutions showed the probability of the nosocomial agents developing some mechanisms of resistance against the various disinfectant formulations rather than ineffectiveness of the disinfectant formulations. However, the effectiveness of Jik formulation at half the manufacturer’s prescribed dilution shows that Jik is still an important disinfectant formulation in the control of nosocomial agent most especially the resistant strains.