A SURVEY OF AFLATOXIN CONTENTS IN MAIZE, SORGHUM

ABSTRACTUsing the Thin Layer Chromatographic (TLC) methods of the AOAC procedures, the aflatoxin content of 486 samples of six cereal varieties was determined and 71 (14.6%) of these were found to be positive, anging from 9 mcg/kg to 39.0 mcg/kg. Of these, 23 (32.4%) were maize grains followed by the white sorghum, 12 16.9%) and mixed sorghum, 11 (15.5%). The positive numbers of white, mixed and red teff samples were significantly as low as 7 (9.8%),8(11.3%) and 10 (14.1%), respectively. Similarly, out of the 60 injera samples tested only 1 (5%) sample of teff injera was positive at the 7th day of storage, while 5 (25%) and 7 (35%) samples of maize and sorghum respectively, were positive after the 4th day of storage. In all cases, it was observed that some environmental factors like temperature, moisture content and relative humidity have influenced the aflatoxin formation in the examined samples. It was also confinned that poor storage conditions like open sacs in market areas and warehouses were more conducive to aflatoxin formation than the modern silo bin storage systems. Although the maximum level of aflatoxin yield (39 mcg/kg) determined in this study is not much greater than the accepted standard limit (30 ppb ), it is possible to deduce that maize and sorghum are more susceptible to aflatoxin accumulation than teff grains both before and after baking. In view of these results, therefore, we consider it necessary to recommend some essential measures of controlling food materials for aflatoxin contamination

AN OUTBREAK OF ACUTE TOXICITY CAUSED BY EATING FOOD CONTAMINATED WITH DATURA STRAMONIUM

ABSTRACT: We report methods used to characterize an outbreak of food-borne acute toxicity among the labour force of a cotton plantation in Middle Awash Agricultural Development Enterprise in July and August 1984. Among 1492 patients seen at the Enterprise and Ministry of Health clinics during this period, 688 (46.1% ) exhibited unusual sign and symptoms. Thirty three patients required hospitalization for intensive medical care while nine patients were reported to have died due to this condition. Contamination of corn flour with pesticides was initially suspected and laboratory animal tests were carried out which failed to show any signs of acute toxicity. Investigation of the source of the corn and its processing was simultaneously conducted and revealed the contamination of the corn with seeds of an indigenous plant identified as Daturastramoniwn, an antimuscarinic alkaloid. These alkaloids contain hyoscine and hyoscyamine which is known to have toxic effect on the exocrine glands, heart, and the autonomic nervous system in man. Signs and symptoms observed in the patients and preventive measures implemented are discussed

AN INVESTIGATION OF DIARRHOEAL DISEASE OUTBREAK AT DILATE MILITARY TRAINING CENTRE

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to investigate a reported diarrhoeal diseaseboutbreak among higher education students recruits in Bilate Military Training Centre, Sidamo Administrative Region, Out of the total patients of 5,248 who visited at the out-patient department 1,616 (30.1% ) were patients with diarrhoea. There were 99 patients admitted to the hospital out of which 27 (27.2 % ) were diarrhoeal patients. There ere no deaths reported. A total of 965 (75.6%) were treated with antimicrobial, mainly Tetracyclines, Chloramphenicol, Metronidazole and Chloroquine. Only 114 (8.9% ) were treated with Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) while 86 (7.11 % ) with Anti-diarrhoeal (Charcoal) and ORS. There was no proper excreta disposal and the water source was found to be bacteriologically non-potable. Among the 34 stool specimens collected for culture and sensitivity tests, the genus Shigella was isolated in 6 patients; where 4 were higellaflexneri (Group B) and 2 were Shigella dysenteriae (Group A) one type 1 (Shiga's Bacillus) and the other type 2 (Schmittz's Bacillus). Shigella dysenteriae serogroups 1 and 2 showed resistance to eight and seven drugs including Trimethoprim Sulpha-Methoxazole (TSM) respectively. This study highlights the importance of safe water and improvement of general hygiene and environmental sanitation for prevention and control of epidemics and indicates the importance of continuous surveillance of drug resistant Shigella for the control of outbreaks of Shigellosis

A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE MICROFLORA LEVEL OF SOME FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

ABSTRACT: Samples of 15 different fruit and vegetable types were purchased from five small groceries around Addis Ababa. Enumeration, isolation and identification processes were performed for the microbial flora of each sample before and after 15-30 days of preservation. Both direct and enrichment culture media were used to distinguish these microflora as members of the groups of normal contaminants, indicators, spoilage and foodborne disease causing organisms. The overall result of this work indicates that a total of 25 different organisms, comprising 3 (12%) indicators, 15 (60%) spoilage, 5 (20%) food-borne pathogens and 2 (8%) normal contaminants, were isolated. The predominant isolates of these groups were Escherishia coli type I, among the indicators Bacilli, molds and Enterobacter species among the spoilage and Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium and Bacillus cereus among the pathogens. The direct inoculation method revealed the isolation of more than one indicator organisms from each of 7 (46.7%) fresh or unpreserved fruit and vegetable samples, more than 3 spoilage organisms from each of 8 (53.3%) samples, and, at least, one pathogenic organism from each of another 8 (53.3%) samples. When enrichment culture method was applied, all these results were increased as: >1 indicators in 10 (67%), >3 spoilage organisms in 9 (60%), and pathogens in 9 (60%) of the unpreserved samples. The enumeration values of the indicator/organisms and the spoilage groups of mesophyllic aerobes/anaerobes, molds and/or yeasts were all above the accepted limits for such fruits and vegetable samples. This was shown to be true in 10 (66.7%), 4 (26.7%) and 6 (40%) samples for the indicators, spoilage mesopheles, and mold or yeasts respectively. The preservation processes have proved to be effective in eliminating or reducing the numbers and types of the organisms isolated from each fresh sample. The effectivity of the preservation methods is discussed and its applicability in a simplified and comprehensive manual for a small-scale (household level) preservation of fruits and vegetables has been recommended

ISOLATES OF STDs CAUSATIVE AGENTS FROM SEX WORKERS ADDIS ABABA (A PRELIMINARY REPORT)

ABSTRACT: Cervical and vaginal discharge samples, collected from282 randomly selected prostitutes of Addis Ababa, were examined for Sill causative agents. The subjects represented 900 females included in the 1990 sero-survey-for HIV infection. The results of the laboratory tests indicated that 117 (41.5%) of the examined females had a single infection by one of the five organisms tested for, while the others 18.1 % had experienced mixed infections of two organisms, and 4.2% of three organisms. The five organisms included Neisseria gonorrhoea isolated from 78 subjects (28.1 %), Trichomonas vaginalis -from 56 (20.6%), Candida albicans -from 40 (14.7%), and Gardnerella vaginosis -associated clue cells -from 27 individuals (9.9%). The presence of syphilis infection was indicated by the TPHA test in 72 subjects, representing 37.3% of the study samples. Among the N. gonorrhea isolates, PPNG strains comprised 57 (73.0%). Resistant strains were obtained to penicillin in 100.0%, ampicillin in 96.0%, bactrim (sxt) in 80.7%, among the PPNG strains; 19.1% of the NPPNG strains to penicillin, 38.1% to kanamycin, 66.6% of a bactrim and 66.7% of ampicillin. Both groups were, however, sensitive to erythromycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, norfloxacin, spectinomycin and ceftriaxone. Significant correlation was observed between these results and the MIC values obtained for each drug

Anti-bacterial activity of Plumbago zeylanica L. roots on some pneumonia causing pathogens

The anti bacterial activity of polar and non-polar extracts prepared from the roots of Plumbago zeylanica L. (Plumbaginaceae), a plant widely used in Ethiopian traditional medicine for various ailments were investigated using hole plate diffusion method against some pneumonia causing pathogens. The aqueous extract did not exhibit any activity while petroleum ether extract was found to have strong anti-bacterial effects as compared to the ethanol extract which showed a significant activity. Activity guided chromatographic purification of the petroleum ether extract led to the isolation of three compounds, of which the compound identified as 5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1, 4-naphthoquinone, plumbagin, found to be the active component on the tested microorganisms. Minimum inhibitory concentration value of this particular compound showed comparative activity resembling the commonly used broad spectrum antibiotic, tetracycline. The strong antibacterial effect of the petroleum ether extract is discussed to show that it was attributable to this compound rather than the other two that were found to have trace of activities. Key words/phrases: Anti-bacterial activity, Minimum inhibitory concentration, Plumbago zeylanica, pneumonia SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol.25(2) 2002: 285-29

PREVALENCE OF STD AND STD RELATED RISK FACTORS IN SEX WORKERS OF ADDIS ABABA

ABSTRACT: The distribution and frequency of some Sills among 282 female sex workers in Addis Ababa randomly selected out of a larger group subjected to HIV serosurvey was studied. Demographic and social information, clinical examination including use of speculum and laboratory detection of Sill pathogens were performed following an informed consent of all participants. An alarmingly high prevalence of Sills was found in the study population. Gonorrhoea was detected in 78 subjects (30.1%), trichomoniasis in 62 (23.9% ), vaginal candidiasis in 51 (19.7% ) and out of 203 sera studied 76 (37.4% ) were positive for syphilis. The duration in sex work was found to have a significant association with seropositivity for syphilis (p < 0.001). Neither the marital status nor regular intake of oral pills influenced the prevalence of Sills. Further laboratory investigation on a broader panel of STDs along with KAPB studies for assessment and evaluation of social and behavioral determinants related to sex work are recommended