Posted on

Association of sul genes and class 1 integron with trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole Resistance in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia clinical isolates in Zagazig University, Egypt

SS Morsi, HE Sharaf, MA Gerges

 

Abstract

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S.maltophilia) is an intrinsically drug resistant    opportunistic pathogen associated with serious infections in humans. Acquired resistance to   trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT,co-trimoxazole), the main stay of therapy against S. maltophilia ,has made its treatment more problematic. Objectives: This work aimed to determine the occurrence  of SXT resistance among S. maltophilia isolated from Zagazig University Hospitals in Egypt and to   assess the association of sul genes and integron1 with SXT-resistant isolates.
Material and Methods: Thirty-two S.maltophilia isolates were identified in this study during the   period from 2013 to 2015. Screening of SXT-resistant isolates was done by Kirby-Bauer method.  Minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) values for SXT were determined by agar dilution. S. maltophilia isolates were tested for the presence of sul1, sul2, sul3, and int 1 genes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction.
Results: Amongst the 32 S. maltophilia isolates, 12(37.5%) were resistant to SXT. All SXT-resistant isolates were found to harbor sul1 gene and integron1. One of these isolates had sul2 gene  (1/12,8.3%). Meanwhile, sul3 gene was not detected in any of the SXT-resistant isolates. Only 2 of the 20 SXT-susceptible isolates was found to yield positive PCR results for sul1 gene, one of them gave positive result for class 1 Integron. The association of sul genes and Integrin1 with resistance to SXT had a statistically significant difference( P<0.0001). Conclusion: Our study indicated a high frequency of SXT resistance among clinical S.maltophilia isolates from Zagazig University Hospitals, in which sul genes and class 1 integron were found to have a major role.

Keywords: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim-resistant, Multiplex  PCR,  sul genes,  Integron 1

Download full journal in PDF below

Association of sul genes and class 1 integron with trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole Resistance in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia clinical isolates in Zagazig University, Egypt

 

 

Posted on

Inhibitory effects of Phyllanthus amarus extracts on the growth of some pathogenic microorganisms

BO Oluboyo, AO Oluboyo, SO Kalu

 

Abstract

This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of Phyllanthus amarus extracts on Staphylococcus aureus,  Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. These effects were compared with those of ampicillin, gentamicin and pefloxacin. Phytochemical  analysis showed that the plant contained flavonoids, steroids, terpenes, alkaloids, benzenoids, saponins and lipids. This plant was found to have remarkable inhibitory effects on the growth of all the  organisms tested; S. aureus was the most susceptible (MIC 20ug/ml) while Pseudomonas aeruginosa and C. albicans were the least susceptible (MIC 30ug/ml). The organisms were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, the inhibition was almost directly proportional to the extract concentration. The aqueous extract had no significant increase inhibitory effects compared to the ethanol extract (p > 0.05). The standard antibiotics had no greater inhibitory effects on the test organisms in relation to the plant extracts (p>0.05). The in vitro analysis revealed that Phyllanthus amarus possesses an antimicrobial activity comparable with those of standard antibiotic discs. Further works is recommended to determine its suitability in chemotherapy.

Keywords: Inhibitory effects, Phyllanthus amarus extract, Pathogenic microorganisms.

Download full journal in PDF below

Inhibitory effects of Phyllanthus amarus extracts on the growth of some pathogenic microorganisms

Posted on

Glycated haemoglobin levels in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis infection during 6 months of treatment

KS Akinlade, SK Rahamon, VF Edem, OM Ige, OG Arinola

 

Abstract

Background: There is little information on the possible impact of drugs used in the treatment of  multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) on glycaemic levels. This study therefore assessed changes in glycated haemoglobin levels in patients with MDR-TB.
Materials and Methods: This longitudinal study involved 21 MDR-TB patients who were followed up for 6 months. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level of each patient was determined before the  commencement of MDR-TB drug regimen and at 2, 4 and 6 months post treatment as part of a study which investigated them every 2 months. Differences in means were assessed using the paired Student’s t-test and statistical significance was set at P<0.05.
Results: A patient had undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) with an HbA1c value of 6.5% and died before the second month sample collection; another patient became critically ill; therefore, 19 patients completed the study. Before the commencement of MDR-TB therapy, two patients had pre-diabetes with HbA1c values of 6.0% and 5.8% while the HbA1c values of the remaining patients were less than 5.7%. There was a significant reduction in the mean HbA1c level at 2 months post therapy compared with the baseline. However, the HbA1c levels increased slightly after the 2nd month of therapy but no significant change was observed in the HbA1c levels at 4 and 6 months of MDR-TB therapy compared with baseline.
Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus is not common among Nigerians with MDR-TB and MDR-TB drug  regimen might have an acute effect on glycaemic changes in patients with MDR-TB.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Glycaemic change, Glycated haemoglobin, Multidrug resistant tuberculosis therapy

Download full journal in PDF below

Glycated haemoglobin levels in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis infection during 6 months of treatment

Posted on

T lymphocyte subsets in prostate cancer subjects in south eastern Nigeria

AO Oluboyo, BO Oluboyo

 

Abstract

Humoral and cellular mechanisms play roles in immune response to foreign antigens. The present study  was designed to determine the T lymphocyte subsets (CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells and CD4/CD8 ratio) in the prostate cancer subjects and control subjects. CD4 + T cells (`l/count) and CD8 + T cells (`l/count) were estimated using flow cytometric method by Partec while CD4/CD8 ratio was calculated from the results obtained from the CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells. CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells decreased  significantly while the CD4/CD8 ratio increased significantly in the prostate cancer subjects compared to the
control subjects. The suppressed CD4 + and CD8 + T cell counts in prostate cancer subjects may indicate  immune instability in the prostate cancer subjects.

Key words: T lymphocyte subsets, prostate cancer, tumour

Download full journal in PDF below

T lymphocyte subsets in prostate cancer subjects in south eastern Nigeria

Posted on

Species distribution and antifungal susceptibility pattern of candida isolates from pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

AM Efunshile, O Oduyebo, CS Osuagwu, B Koenig

 

Abstract

Introduction: Information regarding the resistance pattern of Candida species in developing countries  is limited. Most sensitivity studies were performed on few isolates and/or few antifungal agents using  the disc diffusion method because of limited resources.
Methods and Material: We evaluated six antifungal agents against Candida isolates recovered from  the vagina of apparently healthy pregnant women using the E-test method.
Results: One hundred and seventy Candida isolates recovered from 500 participants were identified and subjected to an antifungal susceptibility test. Candida albicans(53.5%) was the most common specie  identified, followed by Candida glabrata(14.1%). C. albicans was mostly resistant to itraconazole (31.9%), with MIC 50 and 90 of 0.038 mg/L and 6 mg/L, respectively. Resistance to 5-fluorocytosine, fluconazole, and voriconazole was not observed for C. albicans. Caspofungin resistance was observed in 3 C.  albicansand 1 C. glabrata isolates. Resistance to amphotericin B (50%) and itraconazole (100%) were the highest for C. glabrata. Flucytosine and voriconazole resistance was not observed in this study.
Conclusion: The observed species diversity and the presence of C. albicans resistance to 3 of the 6  antifungal agents tested justify the need for a regular surveillance of the sensitivity pattern to antifungal  drugs in Nigeria.
Posted on

CD4 cells profile of HAART naive HIV seropositive clients in Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba, Kogi State. Nigeria

OJ Alabi, SPO Akogu, M Akpa, V Ukeje, PO Okpanachi, OG Agama, S Gideon, B Adegboro

 

Abstract

CD4 lymphocyte cells are the primary targets of Human immune-deficiency virus (HIV). Enumeration of CD4 T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood is used in the assessment of disease clinical stage, risk of  opportunistic infections, evaluation of prognosis and guide decision on the commencement of  antiretroviral therapy. The objective was to determine CD4 cells profile of HIV sero-positive naïve  patients in Kogi State University Teaching Hospital( KSUTH) Anyigba. A total of 404 HIV sero-positive Highly Active Anti Retro Viral Treatment ( HAART) naïve patients comprising 147(36.4%) males and  257 (63.6%) females were examined. Approval was obtained from ethical committee of Kogi State University Teaching Hospital (KSUTH), Anyigba. Written and verbal informed consent was taken from all patients. The overall mean age of patients was 33.0 ± 12.7 years and female-male ratio was  1.7:1. Majority of patients were in the clinical stage two 121(30.5%) and three 200(50.4%). Patients had overall mean CD4 cells count of 381.8 ± 240.8 cells /mm3. Patients CD4 cells count varied statistically with the HIV clinical staging (F =4.512 & P value=0.004) and statistically insignificant with gender (P value = 0.7562 & t Test= 0.3106) and tuberculosis status (P value=0.223 & F=  1.505).Conclusion: This study showed HIV sero-positive HAART naive patients presented in KSUTH with mean age of 33 years. Majority of patients presented in disease clinical stage two and three with a mean CD4 cells counts of 381.8 cells/mm3 . This study recommend the need to reduce stigmatization, discrimination and promote early access to treatment , care and support services.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, CD4, Patient/clients, KSUTH, Nigeria.

Download full journal in PDF below

CD4 cells profile of HAART naive HIV seropositive clients in Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba, Kogi State. Nigeria

Posted on

Selenium as adjunct to HAART in the management of HIV/Hepatitis B Virus coinfection: A Randomized open label study

NN Odunukwe, JO Okwuzu, AP Okwuraiwe, TA Gbajabiamila, ZA Musa, PM Ezeobi, EO Somefun, OO Kalejaiye, DI Onwujekwe, OB Salu, CK Onwuamah, RA Audu, OC Ezechi

 

Abstract

Objective: Management of viral hepatitis in patients with HIV disease is quite challenging and  complex. With effective HIV treatment, people with HIV/HBV co-infection are living longer. HBV  epidemiologic surveys showed an inverse association between selenium (Se) level and regional cancer incidence, as well as viral infection. This study assessed effect of selenium as adjunct to HAART in management of HIV/HBV co-infection.

Methods: A randomized open label study with participants allocated into three treatment groups: – HAART-only, Se-only and HAART-plus-Se. HIV viral load, HBV viral load, CD4 cell count, and alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), were analyzed at baseline and 18th month, analyzed using SPSS 5 v11. Ethical approval was obtained from Institute’s Ethical Review Board.

Results: Sample size was 149 HIV/HBV patients. Rate of HBV clearance was higher among those on HAART-plus-Se at 18th month when compared with rate of clearance among those on HAART-only (p=0.046). CD4 count increment among HAARTplus- Se group compared with HAART-only group was higher (p=0.133), though not statistically significant. On comparison of baseline and 18th month ALT, there was significant decline for HAART-plus-Se (p=0.002) compared with HAART-only group.

Conclusion: Selenium seems to have protective effect on liver cells; may be beneficial as adjunct to HAART in HIV/HBV management.

Key words: HIV/HBV co-infection, Selenium adjunct, HAART

Download full journal in PDF below

Selenium as adjunct to HAART in the management of HIVHepatitis B Virus coinfection A Randomized open label study

Posted on

Performance characteristics of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and rapid immunochromatographic test for routine screening of human norovirus

HE Sharaf, SS Morsi, MA Gerges

 

Abstract

Noroviruses (NoV) are identified as the major cause of epidemic and sporadic acute gastroenteritis. Controlling the spread of the disease needs early recognition of NoV. This study investigated the  contribution of norovirus to sporadic cases of pediatric gastroenteritis in Zagazig University Hospitals and studied the performance characteristics of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(EIA) and  immunochromatographic (ICT) assay for their ability to detect NoV. Two hundred stool specimens were
collected from pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis. Samples were tested for Norovirus presence by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), ICT kit and EIA. 27% of the samples showed the 338-bp portion of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of both Norovirus genogroups I and II by RT-PCR. The ICT assay showed high specificity (97.94%) and high sensitivity (85.18%). The EIA  showed high specificity (93.8%) but low sensitivity (64.8%). In conclusion, the high detection rate of NoV as the cause of diarrhea in children reported in this study supports their addition in screenings to  identify sporadic cases of acute gastroenteritis. The ICT and RIA Norovirus kits may be useful for rapid screening of stool samples from patients with acute gastroenteritis. However, RT-PCR should be  considered for negative samples to be confirmed.

Key words: Norovirus, pediatric gastroenteritis, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene,  enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, immunochromatographic assay, Sensitivity, Specificity.

Abbreviations: NoV , Noroviruses; EIA, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; ICT,  immunochromatographic; RT-PCR, reverse transcription PCR; RdRp, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; ORFs, open reading frames.

Download full journal in PDF below

Performance characteristics of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and rapid immunochromatographic test for routine screening of human norovirus

Posted on

Recent rubella infection among childbearing women in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria: A seroepidemiological indication for vaccination need

ST Suleiman, R Bakare, AA Akanbi, A Fowotade, SA Billiaminu, KA Durowade

 

Abstract

Background: Congenital Rubella Infection can be prevented and future generation saved from  disability by protecting women of reproductive age through vaccination. The study is aimed at  determining serological evidence of recent rubella infection among women of childbearing age.
Method: A cross sectional study was carried out among 285 women aged between 15 and 49 years. Enzyme immunoassay method was used to detect and quantify human IgM and IgG antibodies with avidity for Rubella virus in sera of participants. Socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects, along with recent history of fever, rash and adverse pregnancy outcome among others were obtained using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using the program statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16. Majority (78.3%) of the women recruited for the study were within 15-34 years age range. Of the 285 sera assayed for Rubella IgM antibodies, 23 (8.1%; 95% CI: 4.9%-11.3 %.) was IgM seropositive, while the remaining 262 (91.9%) were seronegative. A total of 7 (2.5%) of reproductive age women in Ilorin had a recent primary infection while 16 (5.6%) had a persistent Rubella infection or recent re-infection.
In conclusion, there is need for vaccination of susceptible women of reproductive age in Ilorin as a large number of women have Rubella in their reproductive age.

Keywords: Rubella, Immunoglobulin M, avidity, reproductive age, Ilorin, Nigeria

Download full journal in PDF below

Recent rubella infection among childbearing women in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria A seroepidemiological indication for vaccination need