Posted on

Pattern of HIV/AIDS infection in Irrua, a rural community in Nigeria

T A Salami, S O Samuel, Ojeh- Oziegbe, K C Eze

 

Abstract

This study aims to observe the pattern of HIV infection in Irrua Hospital records of patients diagnosed and managed with HIV/AIDS between January 2001 and December 2004 were retrieved and subjected to statistical analysis. The results show that females have statistically significant lower age; more incidence of double infection with HIV1&2; and more clinical aneamia(low PCV values) compared to their male counterparts. Women are more likely to be HIV infected than men of similar ages for biological and cultural reasons. HIV also passes more easily from men to women than vice versa hence double infection is common. Anaemia is commoner in females because of incidence of marrow failure due to longer survival after HIV infection in women. Efforts should therefore be made to check the spread of this dreaded infection.

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 9 (1) 2008: pp. 33-37

Posted on

Isolates from wound infections at federal medical centre, bida

E A Odedina, E A Eletta, R A Balogun, O Idowu

 

Abstract

A total of 589 wound swabs from 334 patients in Federal Medical Centre, Bida were studied. Samples were collected between Jan 2002 to Dec. 2003. Swabs were plated within one hour after collection unto blood, chocolate and Mac Conkey after plate, and incubated aerobically for 24hrs. The chocolate plated swabs were incubated under increased carbon dioxide for 24hrs. Organism were identified using morphological and biochemical characteristics according to Cowon and Steel\’s manual for identification of medical bacterial. Organism isolated were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing by disc diffusion using modified Kirby-Bauer method.
The number of swabs that were culture positives were 441 (74.9%). Out of these 441 samples 334 (75.7%) grew one organism each, 99 samples (22.4%) grew two organisms each while 8 samples (1.8%) grew three organisms each. The 3 commonest organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (45.5%), Escherichia coli (21.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.9%) which together constitute 82.2% of the isolates.
There is a high level of antibiotic resistance. Ciprofloxacin is the drug of choice for the gram positive bacteria with susceptibility of 68.3%. Ofloxacin is the drug of the choice for the gram negative bacteria with susceptibility of 76.3%

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 9 (1) 2008: pp. 26-32

Posted on

Evaluation studies of some medicinal plant extracts and fungicides against Alternaria solani.

S Phalisteen, S Ishaq, K Amardeep, J Arif, S Sami

 

Abstract

Alternaria is a polyphagus fungus that occurs frequently on dead and decaying organic material and is responsible for causing leaf spot disease. In Indian subcontinent, there are different varieties of plants showing antimicrobial and other medicinal properties which can be employed in plant disease management to reduce the chemical load from the environment. The present investigation has been taken to evaluate the effect of medicinal plant (leaf) extracts and their combination with fungicides (Carbendazim) against radial growth of Alternaria solani.. The fungus was collected from infected leaf spots of potato plant and grown in PDA (potato dextrose agar) media. The water extracts of medicinal plants viz. Azadirachata indica (3%), Calotropis procera (3%), Nerium oleander (3%), Ocimum sanctum (3%) fungicide, carbendazim (1%) and their combinations were prepared. On the basis of results, the medicinal plant extracts Neem (3%), Nerium (3%) added with carbendazim (1%) showed maximum inhibition of fungus (Alternaria solani).

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 9 (1) 2008: pp. 19-25

Posted on

Sero-epidemiological evaluation of clonal diversity and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among Neisseria meningitidis isolates from epidemic cases in Jigawa State, Nigeria

A Uwah, B Iwalokun, O Badaru, Y Gbadegesin

 

Abstract

A total of 33 Neisseria culture-positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from apparently ill patients during a meningococcal outbreak in Jigawa State, Nigeria were subjected to serogroup, serotype identifications schemes using agglutination and dot blot techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the recovered Neisseria meningitidis isolates were also determined.
Seventeen (51.5%), 8 (24.2%), 3 (9.1%) and 5 (15.2%) of the Neisseria isolates belonged to A, B, C and W135 serogroups. Fifteen (N. meningitides A = 8; B = 2; C = 3; W135 = 3) were of serotype 2a, while 4 distinct serosubtypes: P1.5, 2 (57.6%), P1.9 (6.0%), P1.14 (6.0%) and P1.7, 1(15.2%) were found among 28 clones.
The proportions of serogroup A – associated cases, serotyppe 2a and serosubtype P.15, 2 were significant (P < 0.05) compared to other related parameters. While acquisition of meningococcal disease was neither age nor sex dependent (P > 0.05).
Multilocus enzyme electrophoretic typing further stratified the W135 isolates as members of the ET-37 complex. Five (15.2%), 6 (18.2%) and 7 (21.2%) of the 33 culture–positive isolates displayed resistance to ampicillin and chlorampehnicol and intermediate resistance to penicillin.
Resistance pattern characterization further revealed monoresistance to trimethoprim-sulphamethazole (TMP) by 20 isolates and multiresistance with equal predominance (2 each) of patterns: Pen AmpChlTMP, PenAmpTMP, AmpTMP covering all the serogroups.
Three of the five W135, 6 of 17 A and 1 of 8 C serogroups were β–lactamase positive, while enzyme expression was not observed among the B isolates.

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 9 (1) 2008: pp. 2-18

Download full journal in PDF below

SERO-E~1 

Posted on

INCIDENCE OF DERMATOPHYTE INFECTIONS AMONGST SOME OCCUPATIONAL AND SELECT GROUPS IN JOS

P.O. Nwadiaro

 

Abstract

Fifty-nine Agro farm workers, 265 inmates from Jos main prison, 60 hair weavers and 40 car washers were examined in Jos for dermatophyte infections. Dermatophyte isolates included Trichophyton and Microsporum species. The highest infection rate of 75% was recorded among the farm workers with toeweb infections due to T. mentagrophytes and M. canis. 25% of the other infections were from the groin region due to T. tonsurans and T. mentagrophytes. Fifty-nine percent of infection by T. mentagrophytes in prison inmates was restricted to the groin region. Other species of fungi isolated from the inmates were Trichosporon cutaneum and Aspergillus niger. Among the car washers, tinea manum, ringworm of the hand, and interdigital infections due to T.mentagrophytes were observed. There was no visible infection among either the female hair weavers or the female prison inmates.

Keywords: Dermatophytosis, T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans, M. canis, Tinea pedis, Tinea cruris.

(Af J Clinical & Exp Microbiology: 2003 4(2): 11-17)

Posted on

INHIBITION OF SWARMING BY UREA AND ITS DIAGNOSTIC IMPLICATIONS AMONG UROPATHOGENIC PROTEUS SPECIES FROM LAGOS, NIGERIA

B.A. Iwalokun, K.A. Akinsinde, N. Nkiruika

 

Abstract

The anti-swarming property of urea and effects on antibiotic susceptibility among 52 uropathogenic Proteus strains from Lagos, Nigeria were investigated. Urea caused a reduction in swarming and number of swarmed cells at 0.5% (n = 42, DOCZ = 15.5mm), 0.75% (n= 24, DOCZ = 10.7mm), 1% (n = 17, DOCZ = 3.4mm) and 1.25% (n = 8, DOCZ = 1.7mm).  Compared to DOCZ obtained at 0.5% urea, the further reduction in DOCZ at other urea concentrations was found to be significant (p < 0.05).  Urea at less than 0.75% allowed identification of E. coli, K. pneumoniae and S. saprophyticus in mixed cultures containing Proteus spp, while colonies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were distinctly identified at 1% urea with swarming restrained at 1.25% urea.  At 1.25% urea, antibiotic susceptibility testing by agar diffusion method revealed significant increase and decrease in the number of Proteus strains that showed resistance to amoxicillin and nitrofurantoin. Compared with the control, significant increases in the MICs of gentamicin or nitrofurantoin and streptomycin were found at $ 0.5% and $ 0.75% urea respectively (p<0.05). The identification of extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) producing strains were unaffected by urea.  This study has demonstrated urea induced swarming inhibition of uropathogenic Proteus in vitro.  However, results suggest the use of urea with great caution in diagnostic practices for optimal clinical and public health benefits in Nigeria.

Keywords: Antibiotic susceptibility, anti-swarming, urea, uropathogenic proteus, Nigeria, DOCZ = Diameter of outermost colony zone mean value

(Af J Clinical & Exp Microbiology: 2003 4(2): 18-28)

Posted on

THE EFFECT OF SOME NIGERIAN LOCAL HERBS ON HELICOBACTER PYLORI

S. I. Smith, K.S. Oyedeji, B. Opere, B. A. Iwalokun, E. A. Omonigbehin

 

Abstract

Four Nigerian medicinal plants commonly used in the treatment of bacterial infections were tested for antimicrobial activity against twenty local strains of Helicobacter pylori recovered from patients with gastro-duodenal ulcers and gastritis. In vitro agar diffusion assay revealed anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of ethanolic extracts of C. papaya and M. lucida to 80% (16/20) of the isolates tested, while the ethanolic extracts of O. gratissimum and P. amarus inhibited the colonial growth of 35% (7/20) of these strains. The zones of inhibition ranged from 5 – 20 mm in diameter. Contrastingly, the aqueous extracts of these plants appeared to lack anti-Helicobacter pylori activity except in M. lucida and O. gratissimum where inhibition of a total of three isolates was observed. The present results suggest the presence of anti-Helicobacter pylori principles in ethanolic extracts of C. papaya and M. lucida and support their future use in the treatment of ulcers and gastritis in Nigeria.

(Af J Clinical & Exp Microbiology: 2003 4(2): 29-35)

Posted on

BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF SOBO DRINKS RETAILED WITHIN ILORIN METROPOLIS

A. O. Olowe, K.I.T. Eniola, A.O. Adeyeba, S. Awe

 

Abstract

Sobo drinks retailed within Ilorin metropolis were investigated for their bacteriological quality, in terms of the total bacterial count and types of bacterial species present. The sobo drinks were found to have an average pH of 3.2. The bacterial counts were generally high ranging from 5.0×104 to 24×104 CFU/ml. Six bacterial species; Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, and Escherichia coli were isolated. Consideration of the distribution pattern showed that samples from Unilorin Main Campus and General Post Office contained all the isolates, while three of the isolates; Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were common to all samples. Possible sources of the contaminants and their public health implications are discussed and suggestions offered on ways of ensuring safety of the sobo drinks.

(Af J Clinical & Exp Microbiology: 2003 4(2): 36-40)

Posted on

BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF CHRONIC OSTEOMYELITIS CASES IN ILE-IFE, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

A.K. Ako-Nai, I.C. Ikem, A. Aziba, A.A. Ajayi, O.A. Onipede

 

Abstract

The bacteriological examination of chronic osteomyelitis cases in Ile-Ife, revealed Proteus mirabilis as the predominant isolate encountered (23.1%). Staphylococci constituted 30.7% of the total bacterial isolates with Staphylococcus aureus accounting for only 10.2%. Other Gram-positive cocci cultured include, Staphylococcus spp (20.5%), coagulase negative staphylococci (CONS) (12.8%) and Streptococcus spp (1.2%). Gram-negative rods constituted 55.1% of the total isolates with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being 8.5%, Escherichia coli 5.1%, Citrobacter freundii and Salmonella spp 2.5% each. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed all isolates to be multi-resistant to traditional antimicrobials, which is of epidemiologcal importance in treating cases of chronic osteomyelitis in this environment. The study suggests institution of aggressive therapeutic interventions to avert possible sequalae.

(Af J Clinical & Exp Microbiology: 2003 4(2): 41-51)

Posted on

STUDIES ON DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS IN PATIENTS AT JOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NIGERIA

E.I. Ikeh, F. Peupet, C. Nwadiaro

 

Abstract

An epidemiologcal and microbiological studies of diabetic foot ulcers were carried out in our hospital, with a view to reducing the amputation and mortality rate associated with the disease. Wound swabs from 38 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) foot ulcer patients were investigated using culture methods for both strict aerobes and anaerobes. The bacterial isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility tests using the disc diffusion method. Baseline biochemical and haematological analysis were also carried out. The prevalence of the disease was stratified in relation to some clinical and laboratory parameters, gender, age, educational and occupational status of the patients. The prevalence of the disease was 24.7%, with amputation and mortality rates of 18.4% and 15.8% respectively. Only 13% had DM for less than 1 year, while 53% for more than 10 years. 28.9% have regular shoe-wearing habits. Duration of healing ranged from 2 weeks to 24 weeks (mean = 2.7months). 31% of the patients with marked periosteal reaction had lower extremity amputation or died before amputation could be done. Staphylococus aureus (31%), Proteus spp (16%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10%), Klebsiella spp (6%), Peptococcus spp (6%), Bacteroides fragilis (3%), Streptococcus pyogenes (3%), Escherichia coli (3%), Candida albicans (3%), Streptococcus viridans (1%), Flavobacterium spp (1.5%) and Bacteroides melaninogenicus (1%) were isolated. Most of the bacteria isolates were sensitive to pefloxacin. Our results demonstrate a very high rate of diabetic foot ulcer with the corresponding high rate of amputation and mortality. A multi-disciplinary approach to the management of DM foot ulcers is advocated. Efforts should be made to carry out cultures of samples from refractory ulcers to rule out yeast colonization, which if not treated will delay wound healing.

Key words: Diabetic foot ulcers, Microbial and antimicrobial surveillance, Refractory ulcers.

(Af J Clinical & Exp Microbiology: 2003 4(2): 52-61)