4 research outputs found
Prevalence of septicaemia and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bacterial isolates at the University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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%,
Co-infections of malaria and soil-transmitted helminths in localities with different levels of urbanisation in the Mount Cameroon region
Malaria co-exists with intestinal helminths and they have different effects on infected individuals. A total of 235 and 208 children from Ekona and Great Soppo respectively of both sexes aged 4–14 years were enrolled into a cross-sectional study.
Capillary blood was collected for detection and determination of malaria parasitaemia as well as PCV. Stool samples were collected for quantitative determination of helminth ova by Kato-Katz technique.
The prevalence of malaria and helminths was higher in Ekona than Great Soppo. In Great Soppo, Trichuris was the most prevalent helminth than Great Soppo and an association was found between these co-infections. More children were co-infected in Ekona and co-infecting species were Ascaris and Plasmodium falciparum.
The prevalence of malaria and intestinal helminths as well as co-infection was lower in Great Soppo than in Ekona, probably due to increased urbanization in Great Soppo than Ekona
The Burden Of Malaria And Malnutrition Among Children Less Than 14 Years Of Age In A Rural Village Of Cameroon
Malaria and malnutrition are a major health burden in developing
countries with infants and children being the most vulnerable groups.
The extent of the burden of malaria and malnutrition was investigated
in 339 children ≤14years residing in the village of Muea located
in the South West Province of Cameroon. Malaria parasitaemia was
determined microscopically from Giemsa stained thick blood films.
Nutritional status was determined using age and the anthropometric
parameters of weight and height. Height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age
(WAZ) and weight-forheight (WHZ) Z scores were computed based on the
National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS)/World Health Organisation
growth reference curves. Anaemia was assessed by measuring haemoglobin
(Hb) concentration while plasma iron levels were determined by
spectrophotometric assays. The prevalence of malaria in the study
population was 96.2% (326/339) with a majority (68.4%) having
asymptomatic disease. The geometric mean parasite density (GMPD) was
744.37 ± 89396.11 (parasitaemia range 40-153190 parasites/µL
blood). The mean Hb concentration was 9.29 ± 1.8g/dL (range
4-14.1g/dL) and anaemia (Hb<11g/dL) was diagnosed in 81.4% of the
children, a majority of whom had microcytic anaemia. A negative
correlation was observed between parasite density and haemoglobin
concentration (r = -0.14). The mean plasma iron level was 53.64 ±
32.87µL/dl (range 1.8-159) with 58.7% (199/339) of the children
diagnosed as iron deficient (plasma iron concentrations
<50µg/dL). A negative correlation was observed between plasma
iron values and malaria parasitaemia (r = -0.031). The prevalence of
malnutrition was 58.1% (197/339). Of the 197 malnourished children,
23.6% were wasted (< -2 SD weight-for-height Z- score), 26.5%
underweight (< - 2 SD weight-for-age Z score) and 49.9% stunted
(< - 2 SD height-for-age Z score). There was a negative correlation
between nutritional status and malaria parasitaemia (r =-0.034). The
findings from this study are strongly suggestive that falciparum
malaria and malnutrition exist in children residing in Muea and
constitute a major health problem which needs to be immediately
addressed to reduce morbidity and mortality