Red blood cell susceptibility to oxidants in chronic cigarette smokers

ABSTRACT Smoking is an important preventable cause of mortality worldwide and has been implicated as a significant risk factor for the establishment and progression of several diseases. It has been argued that the increased production of reactive oxygen species associated with smoking may exceed the capacity of the oxidant defense system, resulting in oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between cigarette smoking and red cell destruction due to oxidative damage. Hundred (100) subjects were randomly chosen from a population of males (22 -38 years) within the Osogbo, Osun State metropolis. Blood samples were collected and drawn into an anticoagulated bottle with the aid of a 5ml sterile disposable syringe from one of the prominent veins of the cubital fossa of each of the subjects and used immediately for analysis. To understand the status of oxidative damage, we measured the level of lipid peroxidation using the malondialdehyde (MDA) method, activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the plasma of both smokers and non smokers were also investigated. To establish a possible relationship between cigarette smoking and red blood cell destruction, the reticulocyte counts, haematocrit and total bilirubin levels of smokers and nonsmokers was examined. MDA levels were significantly higher in the plasma of smokers. Activities of GPx and the level of GSH where markedly decreased in smokers when compared with the control group. There was also a significant increase in the total bilirubin levels and the reticulocyte count values of smokers when compared with those of the non smokers. Haematocrit values were slightly increased in smokers when compared with control. The present study thus concluded that an increased oxidative burden decreases the function of the antioxidant systems which can in a long run ultimately lead to red blood cell haemolysis

Incidence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus amongst patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) in UBTH Benin City, Nigeria

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most widely spread human pathogen. Considering the havoc it causes on life and subsequently on the economy, it became necessary to determine its incidence andantibiogram in our environment for adequate control and treatment. Records of microbial cultures and antibiotic sensitivity test results of suspected cases of urinary tract infection (UTI) of the University ofBenin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Benin City from January 1st to 31st December, 2005 were retrieved and statistically analyzed. Two thousand, one hundred and twelve (2,112) early morning mid-stream, urine samples were cultured and seven different microbial agents were isolated and identified. Staphylococuus aureus was found to be the most common organism isolated presenting 22.8%, closely followed by Klebsiella spp. (10.1%), Escherichia coli (8.2%), Proteus mirabilis (4.8%), Enteronacter spp. (4.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.0%) and Candida albican (1.0%). No growth was recorded in 46.6%of cultures. The occurrence of S. aureus was found to be significantly higher (65.8%) in females compared to males (34.2%) (P>0.05). 35% of cases were observed between the ages of 21 to 30 yearsand the majority were female (46.7%). The S. aureus strains were sensitive to augmentin (83%), oxfloxacin (75.9%), nitrofurantion (63.5%) and gentamycine (50.2%). S. aureus was found to be highlyresistant to tetracycline (80.9%), naladixic acid (79.3%) and contrimoxazole (87.3%). It was observed that S. aureus, among other organisms isolated, is the leading cause of UTI in our environment. Augmentin and oxfloxacin could be the drug of choice in the treatment of S. aureus

Microbial culture of organisms from Embryo Transfer Catheter Tip and outcome of IVF/ET

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In vitro Evaluation of antibacterial agents against ocular Bacterial isolates from a Tertiary Hospital, South-West of Nigeria

ABSTRACT Failure to cure eye infections and reduced potency in ocular antibacterial agents had been observed in South Western Nigeria, this study sought to evaluate in vitro, the efficacy of antibacterial agents used in the treatment of eye infections. A total of 135 bacterial isolates were recovered from the diagnostic laboratory of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, from conjunctival swabs of patients having underlying eye diseases (Cataracts and glaucoma), and from patients presenting with other symptoms of eye infections (conjunctivitis, keratitis and dacryocystitis). The pathogens incriminated were Staphylococcus aureus (75.5%), Coagulase negative Staphylococci (11.1%), Klebsiella species (11.1%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.2). Disc diffusion tests (Kirby-Bauer method) were carried out using ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, amoxicillinclavulanate, cefuroxime and levofloxacin. Broth dilution technique was thereafter demonstrated using gentamicin, chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin. The macrolideerythromycin was 54.4% efficacious, amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefuroxime showed 69.9% and 72.8% efficacy. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of commonly used antibiotics however showed different levels of resistance. Resistance to the aminoglycosides was marked, yielding 51.6%, with MIC 50 = 8, MIC 90 > 256, resistance to chloramphenicol was also marked, yielding 76.9%, with MIC 50 = 8, MIC 90 = 64. The fluoroquinolones showed high efficacy; levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin showed 91.1% and 75.5% susceptibility respectively, with MIC 50 < 0.5, though slightly demonstrable resistance was observed (MIC 90 = 8). This study recommends discontinuation of empirical therapy by physicians in order to stem the tide of resistance; it justifies the inclusion of the fluoroquinolones in susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates and its first line of choice if cure is warranted