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Bacteriology And Antimicrobial Suceptibility Profile Of Agents Of Orofacial Infections In Nigerians

KC Ndukwe, IN Okeke, JA Akinwande, AO Aboderin, A Lamikanra

 

Abstract

A prospective study to determine the pattern of microorganisms seen in orofacial infections as well as investigating the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates was undertaken. Specimens were obtained aseptically from 25 patients presenting with orofacial infections at the Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The specimens were transported in an anaerobically pre-reduced transport medium for processing in the laboratory. Isolation and identification were done employing standard bacteriological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disc diffusion method. All the 25 clinical samples obtained yielded growth of bacteria. Anaerobes were cultured from 24 (96%) specimens while 1 specimen yielded only aerobic isolates. Altogether, 44 bacterial isolates were obtained and 40 (91%) were anaerobes. Most of these anaerobes were Gram-negative rods and Gram-positive cocci. About 75-100% of the anaerobes were susceptible to commonly available antibiotics. Strikingly, sulphonamides demonstrated the weakest in-vitro activity against all isolates. The study revealed again the polymicrobial nature of orofacial infections as well as the predominance of anaerobes in the aetiology of these infections. Erythromycin and penicillin should be considered as frontline drugs in the treatment of mild orofacial infections while drugs like ciprofloxacin and clindamycin can be reserved for more severe and resistant infections.
Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5 (3): 272-277
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Detection Of Haemagglutination–Inhibition Antibodies Against Human H1n1 Strains Of Influenza A Viruses In Swine In Ibadan, Nigeria

CO Aiki-Raji, IO Oyedele, GO Ayoade, OA Fagbohun, TA Oderinu

 

Abstract

A survey of haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies against influenza A virus was carried out on pigs sera collected at Bodija abattoir, Ibadan between December, 2001 and August 2002. Out of the 107 sera tested, 101 (94.39%) had HI antibodies to influenza A (H1N1) human strain while the remaining 6 (5.61%) were negative. The result of this work indicates that H1N1 influenza viruses are currently circulating among the pigs slaughtered in Bodija abattoir. The public health implications in terms of possible transmission contact with the pigs are discussed. The result of the HA titres obtained with turkey red blood cells (RBC) compared to that of guinea pig RBC indicated that the H1N1 stains of influenza A viruses have greater avidity for turkey RBC than those of guinea pigs. This is equally of diagnostic importance

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5 (3): 278-279

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Seminal Fluid Analysis And Biophysical Profile: Findings And Relevance In Infertile Males In Ilorin, Nigeria

EK Oghagbon, AAG Jimoh, SA Adebisi

 

Abstract

To determine if there was a bearing of body mass index (BMI) on male infertility, a cross-sectional study of males of infertile couples, attending our infertility clinic was carried out. Apart from BMI determination, the semens of these men were analyzed to ascertain their spermogram. Out of 47 men involved in the study, 66% (31) were below 40 years of age. Seventeen (36.2%) of these were between 30-39 years. About 49% of the study subjects had oligospermia, while 23.4% were azoospermic. Those subjects between 30-39 years had the worse spermogram. Thirty-two (68.1%) and 15(31.9%) of the whole population had good spermatozoa motility and morphology respectively. Poor BMI, whether low or elevated, affected the semen quality. In conclusion, infertile males should be encouraged to seek help early. Attending clinician should pay attention to their past or present genital infections and the biophysical parameters.

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5 (3): 280-284

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OSMOTIC FRAGILITY AND Na+ -K++ ATPase ACTIVITY OF ERYTHROCYTES OF HIV/AIDS PATIENTS

OAT Ebuehi, M Balogun, RA Audu, OE Idigbe

 

Abstract

A cross sectional study was carried out to investigate the osmotic fragility and Na+ -K+ ATPase activity of the erythrocytes of HIV/AIDS patients. Whole blood was taken from subjects at the Human Virology Laboratory of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. Subjects were judged suitable for the various investigations by means of a questionnaire. The Genie II HIV diagnostic kit was used to confirm HIV positive status. HIV positive subjects were grouped into two: those receiving anti-retroviral therapy were referred to as the ARV group and those not receiving antiretroviral therapy were designated as non-ARV group. Each group was further sub-divided according to the Centers for Disease Control 1993 classification of HIV disease. HIV negative subjects must have tested no later than two months to the sample collection date and must not lead a high-risk lifestyle. Twenty microliters of whole blood were used for the erythrocytes osmotic fragility assay. One milliliter of whole blood was used to prepare the erythrocyte ghost membrane for the Na+-K+ ATPase activity assay. The two HIV positive groups showed significant increase in percentage haemolysis under osmotic stress at 0.65% saline. The ARV group had an average percentage haemolysis of 2.56 ± 0.81% while the non-ARV group had an average of 3.19 ± 1.11% compared to an average of 0.83 ± 0.36% for the control group (p < 0.05). A pattern observed in the result was an increase in activity with increasing severity of the HIV/AIDS disease. Data from the present study indicate that the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes was significantly potentiated, while Na+-K+ ATPase activity was not significantly altered (p < 0.05) in HIV/AIDS disease.

Key Words: Osmotic fragility, Na+ -K+ ATPase activity, erythrocytes, HIV/AIDS

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5(2): 148 – 154.

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BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND PLATELET SEROTONIN UPTAKE AS ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF TRACKING HIV/AIDS

OAT Ebuehi, M Balogun, RA Audu, OE Idigbe

 

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted to investigate the blood chemistry and platelet serotonin uptake as alternative method of determining HIV disease stage in HIV/AIDS patients. Whole blood was taken from subjects at the Human Virology of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research. Subjects were judged suitable for the various investigations by means of a questionnaire. The Genie II HIV diagnostic kit was used to confirm HIV positive status. HIV positive subjects were grouped in to two: those receiving antiretroviral therapy were referred to as the ARV group and those not on antiretroviral therapy were designated as non-ARV group. Each group was further sub-divided according to the Centers for Disease Control 1993 classification of HIV disease. HIV negative subjects must have been tested no later than two months to the sample collection date and must not lead a high-risk lifestyle. Serum was used to assay for blood chemistry activities with Randox analytical reagents. Blood platelets were prepared from one milliliter of whole blood and platelet serotonin uptake rates were determined. The serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) of non-ARV subjects was the only blood chemistry parameter that showed any significant variation from normal (p<0.05). The mean activity of this enzyme was 28.4 ± 5.29 U/L compared to a normal value of 12 U/L. A disease stage-related variation was observed. Platelet serotonin uptake rates of the two HIV positive groups showed no significant difference with the HIV negative control. The data obtained showed that serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity is significantly increased in HIV/AIDS patients in a manner that is disease stage related. However, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, bilirubin, triglycerides, amylase, serum creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase showed no significant variation from normal values. Platelet serotonin uptake of HIV subjects was not significantly different from the control.

Key Words: Blood chemistry, platelet serotonin uptake, HIV/AIDS

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BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND PLATELET SEROTONIN UPTAKE AS ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF TRACKING HIVAIDS

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5(2): 155 – 159

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HUMAN BITE INJURIES IN THE ERA OF AIDS: A REVIEW

SA Malami, SB Zailani

 

Abstract

The risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) transmission following human bite is important to many groups of people. Meanwhile, the pandemic of HIV/AIDS continues unabated, with perhaps more than 3 million new infections last year alone. A review of the literature concerning human bite injuries and HIV was performed to examine current opinion regarding the transmission of HIV via this route. It is concluded that human bite contaminated with infected blood carry a small, but definite, risk of transmitting this important life-threatening disease.

Key Words: HIV, Human bite, Risk

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5(2): 160 – 162.

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SCHISTOSOMAL APPENDICITIS IN A SLIDING HERNIA (CASE REPORT)

WEK Opara, SA Malami, OA Adesanya, UH Pindiga

 

Abstract

We report a rare case of a forty-seven year old Nigeria male with schistosomal appendicitis in a sliding hernia. The clinical and pathological features of the case are discussed, followed by a review of the literature. It is concluded that a high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose unusual presentations of schistosomiasis in an endemic area such as Nigeria to facilitate early diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5(2): 163 – 164.

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ONCHOCERCIASIS – A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

AO Oluwasola, DO Oluwasola, KO Osungbade

 

Abstract

Onchocerciasis is a chronic parasitic disease with a wide range of cutaneous and ocular manifestations. It is caused by the tissue nematode, Onchocerca volvulus, and it is transmitted by the bite of a female black fly, Simulium damnosum. Onchocerciasis is a serious public health and socio-economic problem with 95% of all cases being found in Africa south of the Sahara. The WHO Expert Committee has estimated that over 80 million people are at the risk of infection worldwide, some 18 million infected, and 1 million people visually impaired of which some 340,000 are blind. Nigeria is highly endemic for this disease, to the extent that 40% of all cases worldwide are believed to occur in the country. The prevalence of blindness in villages near to fast flowing rivers may reach 15%, often, affecting males (of working age, perhaps 30-40 years old) more frequently than females. In spite of these ravaging consequences of this disease however, remarkable successes have been achieved by the control effort of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP), which uses chemical and biological larvicides with low environmental impact to kill black fly larvae flies. Other methods of effecting Onchocerciasis control include: (i) Reducing the number of bites by the Simulium fly on man; (ii) Killing the microfilariae with microfilaricides; and (iii) Killing the adult worms. The social and economic consequences of the disease in Nigeria and other African countries are huge, with considerable human suffering. It thus demands unrelenting intensive and concerted effort at the international, national and community levels, making optimal use of the identified modes of control for effective control of this disease which has serious public health and economic consequences.

Key Words: Onchocerciasis, Public Health, Control

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5(2): 165 – 172.

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ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF STREPTOCCOCUS PNEUMONIAE IN ILORIN, NIGERIA

AA Akanbi II, SS Taiwo, SK Babatunde, BA Onile, IS Abdulraheem

 

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing problem, particularly among previously sensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae. The emergence of wide spread resistance to antimicrobial agents complicates therapy of infections caused by these organisms. Between January and December 2002, one hundred and fifty-eight isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae at the microbiology laboratory of the University of Ilorin Teaching were studied, in order to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. All the isolates were recovered from clinical samples and identified by their alpha-haemolytic reaction on sheep blood agar, bile solubility and their sensitivity to optochin. Susceptibility testing was carried out using the stokes-disc diffusion method. Majority of the Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates (78.4%) were recovered from the cerebrospinal fluids, 18 (11.3%) from sputum, 14 (9%) from throat swab and 2 (1.3%) from eye swab. Eight three percent of the isolates were resistant to penicillin G and 12.7% were resistant to more than three antibiotics. The isolates were largely sensitive to the third generation cephalosporins and quinolones. The study has shown that penicillins are no longer useful for the treatment of infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in this centre. The cephalosporins and quinolones however remained effective and are therefore recommended.

Keywords; Streptococcus pneumoniae, Susceptibility, Antimicrobial

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5(2): 172 – 176.

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PLASMID PROFILES OF KLEBSIELLA ISOLATES IN ILORIN, NIGERIA

AA Akanbi II, BA Onile, EA Omonigbehin, IS Abdulraheem

 

Abstract

Antibiotic resistant organisms are most common in locations where antibiotics are in great use. This accounts for the fact that hospitals harbor many antibiotic resistant bacteria. It is not surprising that antibiotic-resistant organisms are more common in certain parts of the world, particularly in developing countries, which probably results from the over use of antibiotics. Many of this resistance in bacteria are mediated by plasmids. This study was carried out to identify factors responsible for poor clinical outcome in Klebsiella infections due to antibiotic resistance, and to detect the type of plasmids harbored by various strains of Klebsiella. Three hundred Klebsiella spp. were isolated from various clinical samples at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and biochemically characterized. Five species were identified based on biochemical characteristics; K. pneumoniae, K. rhinoscleromatis, K. ozaenae, K. planticola and K. oxytoca. Plasmid was extracted and analyzed by Birnboim and Doly method. 55 (18.3%) had plasmids of different molecular weight with sizes ranging between 1.1 and 8.0 kb. Species that harbor plasmids are K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca. It appears that plasmid is naturally occurring in some strains, but the incidence of plasmid is probably higher in areas where antibiotics are readily available to the general populace.

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5(2): 177-181.