25 research outputs found
Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis Surveillance in Nigeria From 2010 to 2016, Prior to and During the Phased Introduction of the 10-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Background: Historically, Nigeria has experienced large bacterial meningitis outbreaks with high mortality in children.
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), and Haemophilus influenzae are major causes
of this invasive disease. In collaboration with the World Health Organization, we conducted longitudinal surveillance in sentinel
hospitals within Nigeria to establish the burden of pediatric bacterial meningitis (PBM).
Methods: From 2010 to 2016, cerebrospinal fluid was collected from children <5 years of age, admitted to 5 sentinel hospitals in
5 Nigerian states. Microbiological and latex agglutination techniques were performed to detect the presence of pneumococcus, meningococcus, and H. influenzae. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction and serotyping/grouping were conducted to determine
specific causative agents of PBM.
Results: A total of 5134 children with suspected meningitis were enrolled at the participating hospitals; of these 153 (2.9%) were
confirmed PBM cases. The mortality rate for those infected was 15.0% (23/153). The dominant pathogen was pneumococcus (46.4%:
71/153) followed by meningococcus (34.6%: 53/153) and H. influenzae (19.0%: 29/153). Nearly half the pneumococcal meningitis
cases successfully serotyped (46.4%: 13/28) were caused by serotypes that are included in the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The most prevalent meningococcal and H. influenzae strains were serogroup W and serotype b, respectively.
Conclusions: Vaccine-type bacterial meningitis continues to be common among children <5 years in Nigeria. Challenges with
vaccine introduction and coverage may explain some of these finding. Continued surveillance is needed to determine the distribution of serotypes/groups of meningeal pathogens across Nigeria and help inform and sustain vaccination policies in the countr
Injectable gellan gum-based nanoparticles-loaded system for the local delivery of vancomycin in osteomyelitis treatment
Infection spreading in the skeletal system
leading to osteomyelitis can be prevented by the prolonged
administration of antibiotics in high doses. However systemic
antibiotherapy, besides its inconvenience and often
low efficacy, provokes numerous side effects. Thus, we
formulated a new injectable nanoparticle-loaded system for
the local delivery of vancomycin (Vanc) applied in a
minimally-invasive way. Vanc was encapsulated in poly(Llactide-
co-glycolide) nanoparticles (NPs) by double-emulsification.
The size (258 ± 11 nm), polydispersity index
(0.240 ± 0.003) and surface potential (-25.9 ± 0.2 mV)
of NPs were determined by dynamic light scattering and
capillary electrophoresis measurements. They have a
spherical morphology and a smooth topography as
observed using atomic force microscopy. Vanc loading and
encapsulation efficiencies were 8.8 ± 0.1 and
55.2 ± 0.5 %, respectively, based on fluorescence spectroscopy
assays. In order to ensure injectability, NPs were
suspended in gellan gum and cross-linked with ; also a
portion of dissolved antibiotic was added to the system.
The resulting system was found to be injectable (extrusion
force 11.3 ± 1.1 N), reassembled its structure after
breaking as shown by rheology tests and ensured required
burst release followed by sustained Vanc delivery. The
system was cytocompatible with osteoblast-like MG-63
cells (no significant impact on cells’ viability was detected). Growth of Staphylococcus spp. reference strains
and also those isolated from osteomyelitic joints was
inhibited in contact with the injectable system. As a result
we obtained a biocompatible system displaying ease of
application (low extrusion force), self-healing ability after
disruption, adjustable drug release and antimicrobial
properties
A ring-closing metathesis approach to eight-membered benzannelated scaffolds and subsequent internal alkene isomerizations
Please help populate SUNScholar with the full text of SU research output. Also - should you need this item urgently, please send us the details and we will try to get hold of the full text as quick possible. E-mail to [email protected]. Thank you.Journal Articles (subsidised)NatuurwetenskappeChemie & Polimeerwetenska
A ring-closing metathesis approach to eight-membered benzannelated scaffolds and subsequent internal alkene isomerizations
Please help populate SUNScholar with the full text of SU research output. Also - should you need this item urgently, please send us the details and we will try to get hold of the full text as quick possible. E-mail to [email protected]. Thank you.Journal Articles (subsidised)NatuurwetenskappeChemie & Polimeerwetenska