Bacterial contamination in a special care baby unit of a tertiary hospital in Jos, Nigeria

Background: Nosocomial infections pose a great challenge on healthcare systems. Although surfaces in neonatal wards, umbilical stump wounds and catheter are responsible for a high number of nosocomial infections due to bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial profile of air and surface contamination in the special care baby unit of a tertiary hospital in Jos, Nigeria.Methods: Surface and air samples were cultured and antibiotic susceptibility of isolated bacteria were determined.Results: The bacterial profile of air and surface samples showed that Klebsiella was the most common bacteria followed by Staphyllococcus; while the least was Escherichia. Most of the bacteria were isolated from the out-born term area of the special care baby unit. All the bacteria isolated were susceptible to ceftriaxone and meropenem.Conclusion: This study showed that all areas of the special care baby unit of the hospital have bacterial, indicating that these are a potential source of cross-infection from healthcare workers to the neonatal patients.Keywords: Nosocomial, bacteria, special care baby unit, neonat

Tinea capitis infection among school children in rural setting of Jos north-central, Nigeria

Background: Tinea capitis is a common infection of the scalp and hair shaft caused by dermatophytes. It is an infection associated with low socioeconomic status and poor personal hygiene.Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving pupils in two public schools in rural setting with clinical features suggestive of tinea capitis. Scrapings were collected from the scalp of the pupils between September 2018 and February 2019 and subjected to laboratory analysis of microscopy and culture. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software.Results: Atotal of 67 pupils with clinical features of tinea capitis had positive cultures in the laboratory (21.5%), most of the pupils were of age range 4-8years (56.7%) and mainly males 167(52.2%). Factors associated with spread of tinea capitis were not statistically significant except for the sharing of towel(P<0.001). Trichophyton mentagrophyte (40.3%) was the most isolated agent of tinea capitis followed by Microsporumgypseum (31.3%)Conclusion: Tinea capitis infection remains a problem associated with rural settlement and poor personal hygiene. A nationwide surveillance is required to prevent the spread. Keywords: Tinea capitis, Trichophyton mentagrophyte, Dermatophytes, Microsporumgypseu

Maternal genital tract colonization and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Streptococcus agalactiae: - a modality for intrapartum prophylactic treatment in jos

Background: Group B Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) has been established as a normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract from where it continually colonizes the vagina and serves as a potential cause of neonatal infections. This necessitated this study to determine the carriage rate among pregnant women.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the anogenital colonization and antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates from women receiving health care at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).Materials and Methodology: This was a hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study of 200 pregnant women and 100 non-pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) and Gynaecology clinic at the Jos University Teaching Hospital respectively, between July 2017 and November 2017. High vaginal and anorectal swabs were collected from the subjects. The specimens were cultured and antibiotic susceptibility testing of the GBS isolates determined. The results obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 21.Results: The age range (standard deviation) of the pregnant women was between19-48(±7.2) years with an average age of 31.2 years. The overall prevalence rate of GBS among the study participants was 6.3%. Pregnant and non-pregnant women were positive in 6.5% and 6.0% respectively.The highest colonization rate was found in the maternal age-group 16-20years (11.1%), followed by age-group>40years (10.0%). Low colonization rate of 2.2% was observed among maternal age group 36-40years.Of the 100 non-pregnant women recruited as control for this study, they had age range of 16 years to 48 years with a mean age of 33.4 years (SD ± 6.1). Approximately, 6.0% of the 100 non-pregnant women enrolled were cultured positive for GBS colonization. There was no statistically significance between GBS colonization between the pregnant and non-pregnant women. All the Isolates were sensitivity to penicillin, erythromycin, and clindamycin while 5.3% were resistant to ampicillin, 10.5% to ceftriaxone and 21.1% to vancomycin.Conclusion: This study showed that GBS colonization rate among the study population was 6.3%. Approximately, 6.5% and 6.0% prevalence rate was found among pregnant and non-pregnant women respectively. All the isolates were sensitive to penicillin, erythromycin and clindamycin. A total of 21.5% of the isolates were resistant to vancomycin. Ceftriaxone and ampicillin resistant was demonstrated in 10.5% and 5.3% respectively.Keywords: Streptococcus agalactiae, colonization rate, pregnant women, antibiotic susceptibilit

Stability of candida albicans over long and short term storage in a resource-limited setting

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans are widely isolated fungal yeast agents from clinical samples. Several storage methods for fungi have evolved overtime and they are not without setbacks. Preservation method is critical for research,training and teaching.In resource–poor setting,the method to employ must be cheap and easy to maintain with minimal risk of contamination as well as degeneration of the organisms.We thus,set out to study the stability of Candida albicans over long and short term storage in a resource-limited setting.METHODS: One hundred Candida albicans strains isolated from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis and oral candidiasis were preserved in triplicates using sterile distilled water,Chromagar plate,mineral oil overlay and brain heart infusion broth plus 10% glycerol at -20OC.Recovery rates were determined at six months,12 months and 18 months by sub-culturing onto sabouraud dextrose agar.RESULT: The recovery rate of C. albicans was 100% for all the preservation methods used during the six months storage,mineral oil overlay and brain heart infusion broth plus 10% glycerol for the 12months storage,and only the brain heart infusion broth plus 10% glycerol during the 18months storage.CONCLUSION: Candida albicans can be preserved over long period of time in resource- limited setting where power supply is erratic using brain heart infusion broth plus 10% glycerol at -20OC and mineral oil overlay technique whereas for short term preservation, sterile distilled water and taped culture plates technique can be used. Preservation of Candida albicans isolates in resource- limited setting over short or long term period is possible and affordable depending on the technique employed.KEYWORDS: Candida albicans, preservation, sterile distilled water, Chromagar plate, mineral oil overlay, brain heart infusion broth

Cytokine-associated neutrophil extracellular traps and antinuclear antibodies in Plasmodium falciparum infected children under six years of age

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>-infected children, the relationships between blood cell histopathology, blood plasma components, development of immunocompetence and disease severity remain poorly understood. Blood from Nigerian children with uncomplicated malaria was analysed to gain insight into these relationships. This investigation presents evidence for circulating neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and antinuclear IgG antibodies (ANA). The presence of NETs and ANA to double-stranded DNA along with the cytokine profiles found suggests autoimmune mechanisms that could produce pathogenesis in children, but immunoprotection in adults.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Peripheral blood smear slides and blood samples obtained from 21 Nigerian children under six years of age, presenting with uncomplicated malaria before and seven days after initiation of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) treatment were analysed. The slides were stained with Giemsa and with DAPI. Levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF, CRP, and IL-6, select anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF-β and IL-10, and ANA were determined by immunoassay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The children exhibited circulating NETs with adherent parasites and erythrocytes, elevated ANA levels, a Th2 dominated cytokine profile, and left-shifted leukocyte differential counts. Nonspecific ANA levels were significant in 86% of the children pretreatment and in 100% of the children seven days after SP treatment, but in only 33% of age-matched control samples collected during the season of low parasite transmission. Levels of ANA specific for dsDNA were significant in 81% of the children both pre-treatment and post treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this investigation suggest that NET formation and ANA to dsDNA may induce pathology in falciparum-infected children, but activate a protective mechanism against falciparum malaria in adults. The significance of in vivo circulating chromatin in NETs and dsDNA ANA as a causative factor in the hyporesponsiveness of CpG oligonucleotide-based malaria vaccines is discussed.</p

Les anomalies des voies génitales chez les prostituées qui se douchent en se servant du citron ou du jus de limon au Nigéria

Vaginal douche products have been associated with cervical cancer. We examined female sex workers (FSWs) in Nigeria who douche with lemon or lime juice and compared the findings with that of nonusers. We obtained Pap smears and performed colposcopy of the vulva, vagina and cervix. A total of 374 FSWs comprising 81 Lemon users (LUs) and 293 non lemon users (NLUs) were examined. Their mean age was 27.8 ± 6.7 (range 16-63) years. At colposcopy, 17(4.5%) had genital warts [LUs 5(6.2%); NLUs 12(4.1%); p=0.43], 61(16.3%) had suspected squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) [LUs 17(21.0%); NLUs 44(15.0%); p=0.20] and 65(17.4%) had other findings. Pap smear cytology showed that 87(24.6%) had SILs [LUs 26(33.3%); NLUs 61(22.1%); p=0.03]. Lemon/lime use was associated with cervical dysplasia after controlling for HIV status (Adjusted OR=1.8; 95% CI, 1.0-3.0). Our data suggests an association between the practice of douching with citrus juice and cervical dysplasia (Afr J Reprod Health 2009; 13[1]:37-45).Les produits de la douche vaginale ont été liés au cancer du col. Nous avons étudié les prostituées au Nigéria qui se douchent en se servant du jus de limon et nous les avons comparées à celles qui ne s’en servent pas. Nous avons collecté le papanicolaou et nous avons fait la colposcopie de la vulve, du vagin et du col. Au total, nous avons étudié 374 prostituées qui comprennent 81 qui se servent du citron et 293 qui ne se servent pas du citron. Leur âge moyen s’est élevé à 27,8 ± 6, 7 (entre 16 et 63 ans). La colposcopie a montré que 17(4,5%) avaient des verrues génitales [celles qui se servent du citron = 5(6,2%) ; celles qui ne s’en servent pas = 12(4,1%) ; p=0,43], 61(16,3% avaient des lésions intraepitheliales squameuses suspectes (LIS) [celles qui se servent du citron = 17(21,0%) ; celles qui ne s’en servent pas = 44(15,0%) ; p = 0,20] et 65 (17,4%) avaient d’autres résultats. La cytologie du papanicolaou a montré que 87(24,6%) avaient LIS [Celles qui servent du citron = 26(33,3%) ; celles qui ne s’en servent pas = 61(22,19%) ; p = 0,03]. L’utilisation du citron/du jus de limon a été liée à la dysplasie cervicale après avoir contrôlé pour l’état du VIH (OR yiste = 1,8 ; 95% CI, 1,0 – 3,0). Nos données indiquent un lien entre la pratique de se doucher avec le jus de limon et la dysplasie cervicale (Afr J Reprod Health 2009; 13[1]:37-45)

Assessment of hand hygiene facilities and staff compliance in a large tertiary health care facility in northern Nigeria: a cross sectional study

The burden of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is 2 to 18 times higher in developing countries. However, few data are available regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) process indicators in these countries. We evaluated hand hygiene (HH) facilities and compliance amongst healthcare workers (HCW) in a 600-bed healthcare facility in Northcentral Nigeria providing tertiary care service for a catchment population of about 20 million

Cytokine-associated neutrophil extracellular traps and antinuclear antibodies in infected children under six years of age-3

O top of box), the 90th and 10percentile values (high and low error bars respectively), and the mean value (dotted line). Closed circles represent the two highest values (above 90percentile). Open circles represent the two lowest values (below 10percentile; two open circles are superimposed in the plots where only one open circle is apparent). Horizontal bars on x-axes represent the upper limit of the range for normal healthy individuals determined with each assay kit by the manufacturer.<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Cytokine-associated neutrophil extracellular traps and antinuclear antibodies in infected children under six years of age"</p><p>http://www.malariajournal.com/content/7/1/41</p><p>Malaria Journal 2008;7():41-41.</p><p>Published online 29 Feb 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2275287.</p><p></p