Construct Length Analysis of Type B and C Cervical And Thoracolumbar Fractures

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify if construct length affects the rate of surgical complications and instrumentation revision following surgical fixation of subaxial and thoracolumbar Type B and C fractures. This study evaluates the effect of ankylosing spondylitis/diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (AS/DISH) within this population on outcomes. Methods: Retrospective review of 91 cervical and 89 thoracolumbar Type B and C fractures. Groups were divided by construct length for analysis: short-segment (constructs spanning two or less segments adjacent to the fracture) and long-segment (constructs spanning more than two segments adjacent to the vertebral fracture). Results: For cervical fractures, construct length did not impact surgical complications (P = 0.641), surgical hardware revision (P = 0.167), or kyphotic change (P = 0.994). For thoracolumbar fractures, construct length did not impact surgical complications (P = 0.508), surgical hardware revision (P = 0.224), and kyphotic change (P = 0.278). Cervical Type B fractures were nonsignificantly more likely to have worsened kyphosis (P = 0.058) than Type C fractures. Assessing all regions of the spine, a diagnosis of AS/DISH was associated with an increase in kyphosis (P = 0.030) and a diagnosis of osteoporosis was associated with surgical hardware failure (P = 0.006). Conclusion: Patients with short-segment instrumentation have similar surgical outcomes and changes in kyphosis compared to those with long-segment instrumentation. A diagnosis of AS/DISH or osteoporosis was associated with worse surgical outcomes

Studies on the Use of Plant Extracts for the Prevention of Bacterial Biofilms on Urinary Catheters

This study was undertaken to evaluate the potentials of six plant extracts to prevent bacterial biofilms on urinary catheters. Uniformly sized sections (9 mm&#1782) of sterile silicone catheters were impregnated with aqueous extracts of the various plants, dried and sterilized under a UV hood before immersing in fresh urine for 18 – 72 h. Untreated catheter and catheter treated with standard antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and gentamicin), which were similarly immersed in urine, served as controls. Biofilm formation on the catheter sections was evaluated by culture, microscopy and viable cell count procedures. The results showed that bacterial attachment occurred on the catheter sections within 24 h of immersion in urine. The various extracts and standard drugs reduced bacterial attachment on the catheters in the order: ciprofloxacin > Psidium guajava > Aloe vera > gentamicin > Gongronema latifolium > untreated sections. Carica papaya, Ocimum gratisimum and Vernonia amygdalina potentiated bacterial attachment. Furthermore, the effect of Psidium guajava extract was longer-lasting than that of the standard antibiotics. Direct sensitivity tests against the urinary isolates showed that only P. guajava, amongst all the plant extracts, was active. This preliminary study highlights the potentials of herbal extracts especially P. guajava and Aloe vera in preventing biofilm formation on urinary catheters.Keywords: Biofilms, urinary catheters, plant extracts, Psidium guajava, Vernonia amygdalina, ciprofloxaci

Histopathological Changes Induced By Staphylococcal Enterotoxin Produced In Yoghurt

In this study, six Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from contaminated yoghurt were evaluated for enterotoxigenicity. Two o the strains were enterotoxigenic and caused fluid accumulation in rabbit ileal loops. Fluid aspirated from the loops was bloody and histopathological changes in sections collected from rabbit ileum, inoculated with crude enterotoxin, were characterized by circulatory disturbances, degenerative/ necrotic and inflammatory changes, including hyperaemia, fibrinous exudation and necrosis of villi epithelial cells. These findings showed that although SE are typically associated with vomiting and diarrhoea, which often abate within 24 hours, there was potential for more serious disturbances such as inflammation, tissue damage and toxic shock. Moreover, the producton of potent SEby strains isoated from commonly consumed products such as yoghurt emphasizes the need for complete elimination of staphylococcal contaminants from foods in order to protect consumers. Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterotoxins, Hyperaemia, Histopathological changes, Necrosis of villiAnimal Research International Vol. 4 (1) 2007 pp. 587-59

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of asymptomatic bacteriuria among women with pelvic organ prolapse in Abakaliki, South-East Nigeria

Abstract Background Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the herniation of pelvic organs from its anatomical confines, and it is of considerable importance to the practicing gynaecologist in middle and low income countries. It is commonly associated with, urinary tract infection (UTI), both symptomatic and asymptomatic due to anatomical and physiological changes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among women with pelvic organ prolapse, to know the organisms commonly implicated and the sensitivity pattern. Methods This study was conducted among 96 women with POP at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre Abakaliki. A cross sectional descriptive study was done. Standard microbial technique was used to analyze the urine. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17. Results Out of the 96 patients, 76 were found to have asymptomatic bacteriuria giving a prevalence of 79.2%. Nine different bacteria species isolated include E. Coli (34.2%), Streptococcus pneumonia (23.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (7.9%), Proteus Spp (7.9%) others (5.3%). The highest level of microbial sensitivity to the antimicrobials was with Ciprofloxacin. Conclusions This study suggests that prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria is very high among women with POP. More than 50% of the bacterial isolates were mainly E.coli and Streptococcus pneumonia. The highest level of microbial sensitivity was with ciprofloxacin while the least was with cotrimoxazole