Pitfalls in the routine diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus

Two hundred isolates of Presumed Staphylococcus aureus from routine clinical specimens, collected from two government hospitals in Abha, Saudi Arabia, had their identity verified. We used the tube coagulase test as our gold standard. Twenty (10%) of the isolates were mis-identified. Reliance by the two laboratories on DNase test, Mannitol fermentation reaction and improper performance of the coagulase test, were responsible for the mis-diagnosis. Key Words: Staphylococcus aureus, diagnosis, pitfalls. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.4(1) 2005: 83-8

Epidemiological Significance of the Colonization of Streptococcus Agalactiae in the Anorectum and Endocervix of Non-Parturients in Jos, Nigeria

Knowledge of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) carriage and infections in Africa is very scanty but few cases have been reported in Nigeria in particular. Streptococcus agalactiae has been reported to cause infections and diseases in non-parturients and adults ranging from bacteremia, osteomylitis, arthritis, and endocarditis to breast abscess among others, hence the necessity for this study. Fifty six non-pregnant women of different age groups and social status were screened for GBS in Plateau State Specialist Hospital using the Christie, Atkins and Munch-Petersen (CAMP) and hippurate hydrolysis tests. Two (3.6 %) of the 56 women were positive for GBS. The 2 isolates were all from the anorectum. The endocervix yielded no culture. The antibiogram showed that ampicillin is the drug of choice with all isolates (100%) sensitive to the drug. No statistically significant relationship was observed between the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients and GBS carriage (P>0.05). This survey shows a much lower carriage proportion than that reported in Ibadan, Nigeria from non-parturients.Key words: Streptococcus agalactiae, epidemiology, anorectum, endocervix, non-parturient

The Genital Discharges - At a Glance

Genital discharges are common worldwide. They are causes of frequent hospital visits, loss of valuable man-hours and great economic loss. One of the greatest hindrances to their proper management, is, poor diagnostic acumen embodied in inexperienced health workers and inadequate health facilities. This article highlights those features, which help their rapid and accurate diagnosis, especially in the developing countries. Key Words: Rapid Diagnosis of Genital Discharges. Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol.46(4) 2004: 71-7

Genital Ulcer Diseases - At a Glance

Our world has become a global village and there are no longer regional barriers to any disease entity. The genital ulcer diseases are common worldwide and constitute a major health challenge in many countries. Differentiating between the myriads of causative agents is a daunting exercise especially in the developing countries with inadequate health facilities and inexperienced health workers. This article is an aid to the diagnosis of the major genital ulcer diseases thereby facilitating their early recognition and proper management. Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol.47(3) 2005: 29-3

Characteristics of Nosocomial MRSA in Assir Central Hospital, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The objective of this study is to determine the characteristics of nosocomial methicillin-resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA & MSSA) and their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to vancomycin and oxacillin. Over a six-month period a study of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from clinical specimens of patients with nosocomial infections in Assir Central Hospital (ACH), Abha, Saudi Arabia, between September 2003 and February 2004, was carried out. Isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus was performed using standard microbiological methods. MIC to vancomycin and oxacillin was carried out using the E-test strips. Eighty-five Staphylococcus aureus isolates were identified. These were made up of 39 (45.9%) MRSA and 46 (54.1%) MSSA. The MIC to oxacillin showed that 37/39 (94.9%) MRSA had MIC >256 µg/ml and only 2/39 (5.1%) had MIC of 4 and 32 µg/ml. Thirty of forty six (65.2%) of the MSSA had MIC 256 µg/ml). The use of oxacillin-related drugs to treat nosocomial Staphylococcal infections in ACH should be reviewed and infection control practices should be intensified so as to stem any future increase in MRSA prevalence in the hospital. Key words: MRSA; Characteristics; MICs; Vancomycin; Oxacillin. Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2005; 6(2): 163-16

Serum immunoglobulins and circulating immune complexes in Nigerians on the Jos Plateau

No Abstract. Ghana Medical Journal Vol. 38(1) 2004: 28-3

Heppurate hydrolysis and Christie, Atkins, Munch-Peterson tests epidemiological diagnostic tools for Streptococcus Agalactiae carriage in pregnancy

Objectives: To evaluate the Christie, Atkins, Munch-Peterson (CAMP) and hippurate hydrolysis reactions as diagnostic tools for Streptococcus agalactiae carriage in pregnancy.Design: Observational, analytical case-control study.Setting: Hospital-based study in a primary and a tertiary health care institution.Patients: One hundred and six pregnant and 56 non-pregnant (controls) women were included in the study. The participants were of different socio-economic status. A volunteer sample was used. About 800 subjects were contacted and 162 participated in the study.Results: The sensitivity of the screening test varied from 25% for the CAMP test to 77.78% for the hippurate hydrolysis reaction. The specificity was the same for both tests at (50%). A significant difference in positivity between the CAMP and hippurate hydrolysis reactions (95% confidence limit,

Vibrio Cholerae 01 Infections In Jos, Nigeria

A study to determine the prevalence of Vibrio cholerae 01 in stool sample submitted for routine examination of enteric pathogens, as well as identify the serotypes and antibiogram of the isolates to commonly used antibiotics was undertaken. The survey involved the examination of 774 (763 stool and 11 rectal swabs) specimens obtained from different patients seen at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). Of the total number examined, 34 (4.39%) yielded Vibrio cholerae 01. All of them were Inaba serotype of El-Tor biotype. The age group 20-29 years had the highest rate, 21 (6.95%). Rectal swabs yielded a higher number of isolates, 9 (81.82%) from 11 specimens compared to 25 (3.28%) from 763 stool specimens. The organism is most prevalent during the mid-rainy season (June/July) since most of the isolates 29 (85.29%) of the 34 isolates were isolated during this period (P < 0.05). Isolates were very sensitive to ofloxacin, erythromycin and tetracycline but resistant to chloramphenicol, ampicillin, cloxacillin and penicillin G. This study demonstrates that Vibrio cholerae 01 is endemic in our environment. Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5 (3): 260-26