Pulmonary tuberculosis and resistance pattern to first line anti-tuberculosis drugs in a city of Western Nigeria

This study determines the distribution of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among suspected patients and the resistance pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to first line anti-tuberculosis drugs. 609 suspected PTB subjects (based on chest x-ray), attending tuberculosis clinic at Sacred Heart Hospital, Abeokuta, were involved in this study. Their blood  samples were screened for HIV antibody using WHO strategy II, while sputum samples were screened for the presence of acid fast bacilli (AFB) using standard method. All AFB positive samples were cultured and susceptibility tests done using 1% proportion methods. Results showed that of the 609 subjects, 19.7% had PTB. The observed infection, though not statistically significant, was higher among males (21.6%) than in females. However, significant differences were observed for PTB infections amongst various age groups. Susceptibility test revealed that resistance to streptomycin was highest (33.0%) compared to other drugs, while detected multidrugresistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) was 17.5%; being higher among males (19.7%) and in subjects with PTB only (19.3). In addition,  mono-resistant and poly-resistance was found in 16.5% and 9.7% of the isolates respectively. These findings suggest that the control and prevention of PTB, especially MDR-TB, should include measures aimed at identifying the source of infection and proper treatment of infected individuals.Key Words: Gender, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Susceptibility test

Histological changes in the testis of rats treated with Alomo Bitter

Considering the increasing demand for herbal aphrodisiacs, this study investigates the effect of Alomo bitters on thehistology of testis in adult rats. 36 male rats of comparable weight (151.67 ± 2.89 grams) and sizes were involved inthis study. The animals were assigned into four groups; a control group (A) and three test groups (B, C and D). For 3 weeks, group A received growers mash and water, while test groups B1-B3, C1-C3 and D1-D3 representing  experimental durations of 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks respectively; received growers mash and graded doses of  Alomo bitters (7.5, 15, 22.5ml) daily. Histologiclly, micrographs from the test groups presented changes that  included interstitial space exudates, cellular pyknosis cellular degeneration, cell population reduction, and  vacuolations. These changes were dosage-duration dependent suggesting that Alomo bitters can induce testicular damage and by implication, infertility in males. Thus, there is an urgent need to regulate the consumption of Alomo bitters as well as other herbal products considered to possess aphrodisiac potentials.Keywords: Alomo-bitters, Herbs, Male, Testis, Histology

eterminants of seizure occurrence in preeclampsia before commencing and during treatment with magnesium sulphate

Background: Eclampsia is considered as a consequence of severe preeclampsia, with magnesium sulphate regarded as gold standard in seizure treatment and prophylaxis. Convulsions have however been noted when criteria for severe preeclampsia were not met and in patients undergoing treatment with magnesium sulphate.Methods: A secondary analysis of data obtained from a prospective cross sectional study, involving assessment of clinical and biochemical markers of preeclampsia including magnesium in 75 patients with severe preeclampsia who were given magnesium sulphate using the Pritchard regimen.Results: Headache (p = 0.002), vomiting (p = 0.005) and prior occurrence of seizures before presentation (p = 0.001), were significant risk factors for occurrence of convulsions. In addition, serum magnesium levels were significantly lower (1.61±0.32 mg/dL) among patients who had seizures than in those who did not (2.01±0.25 mg/dL), (p<0.001). Systolic blood pressure (p = 0.22), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.29), mean arterial blood pressure (p = 0.17) and proteinuria (p = 0.18) however did not determine the occurrence of seizures. Only 3/49 (6.1%) of the patients with severe hypertension (MAP≥125 mmHg) fitted, compared to 6/26 (23.1%) with mild hypertension (MAP<125mmHg) who convulsed (p = 0.04). Convulsion during treatment with MgS04 was associated with significantly lower levels of serum magnesium (4.04±0.5 mg/dL), than 4.63±0.5 mg/dL observed among patients with severe preeclampsia who did not convulse (p = 0.04).Conclusions: Headache, vomiting, prior convulsion and low serum magnesium levels preceded the occurrence of fits before treatment while, prior convulsion and low serum magnesium level consistently preceded the occurrence of fits during treatment of preeclampsia with magnesium sulphate

Bacteriological pollution indicators in Ogun River flowing through Abeokuta Metropolis

Water resources are significant part of integrated community development policy and good health. Hence, the need to reduce the impact of natural and anthropogenic pollution causes so as to enhance water quality. The bacteriological quality of the Ogun River was investigated to determine the sanitary conditions of the water body between March and August, 2014. Total heterotrophic bacteria counts (THBC), total coliform counts (TCC) and total Escherichia coli counts (TEC) using standard plate count and Most Probable Number (MPN) techniques were determined. The isolates were identified using 16SrRNA gene. Total heterotrophic bacteria counts varied between 1.13 × 106 and 4.1 × 107 CFU/ml, TCC ranged between 2.5 × 105 and 2.33× 107 CFU/ml and TEC was between 5 × 104 and 1.3 × 106 CFU/ml. Most Probable Number of coliforms in all samples varied between 120 and 1600 MPN/100 ml. Isolated microorganisms include Escherichia coli strain SUS9EC, Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain SSI7, Escherichia coli strain BW25113, Escherichia coli strain C-X1B, and Klebsiella oxytoca strain KU-5. One-wayanalysis of variance showed significant difference within the samples at (P<0.05).The results revealed high bacteria counts which is higher than the recommended value of 1.2 × 102 for THBC, a zero E. coli count and not more than 10 coliforms per 100 ml by World Health Organization standards for drinking water.Keywords: Water, bacteria, Escherichia coli, pollutio

Baseline burden and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria recovered from oral lesions of patients with HIV/AIDS in South-Western Uganda

AbstractBackgroundThe need to map pathogenic bacteria from oral lesions of patients with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) remains crucial to estimate the potential risk of localized and systemic diseases.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the baseline burden and antibiotic susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria recovered from oral lesions of patients with HIV/AIDS in South-Western Uganda.MethodsWorld Health Organization's aseptic criteria were adopted in oral examination, sample (605) collection, pathogenic bacteria isolation, and sensitivity testing. The included patients with HIV/AIDS had persistent oral lesions, and they received antibiotic treatment. The study was ethically approved by the institutional and national boards.ResultsPathogenic bacteria (31% Streptococcus mutans, 16.4% Proteus mirabilis, 11.8% nonhemolytic Streptococcus species, 11.3% Staphylococcus aureus, 9.5% Branhamella catarrhalis, 8.6% Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 8.1% Klebsiella pneumoniae, 6.8% Escherichia coli, and 5.5% Streptococcus pyogenes) prevalence varied significantly (p<0.05) with participating districts, and this may indicate that patients are at an increased risk of systemic infection and antibiotic resistance. Females were more in number than males, and 31–50 years were the most predominant age groups. The variation of oral pathogenic bacteria represents the distribution of two ethnics made of five tribes. Gentamycin was the most effective antibiotic against all isolates. Relative resistance to oral antibiotics and sensitivity to ciprofloxacin/cefaclor were bacteria-dependent. An effective treatment plan for persistent oral lesions should be against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.ConclusionsAn observed wide array of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity of patients with HIV/AIDS poses a real problem in the world of antimicrobial resistance, and this clearly provides a higher risk of systemic infectious diseases in these population with HIV/AIDS

CD4 count, viral load and parasite density of HIV positive individuals undergoing malaria treatment with dihydroartemisinin in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria

Background & objectives: A prospective study on 72 HIV infected and 33 HIV negative individualsundergoing malaria treatment with dihydroartemisinin (Cotecxin) was undertaken to compare CD4cells count, viral load and parasite density at two time-points, a baseline visit and a 9-day posttreatmentvisit.Methods: CD4 count and viral load of the subjects were estimated using Dynabeads T4–T8Quantification Protocol (Dyneal Biotech, Norway) and Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor Test respectively(Roche, United Kingdom).Results: There was a significant decrease in CD4 count at 9-day post-treatment when compared withbaseline value (p 200 cells/μl, a marked significant increase was obtained when the mean viral loadat baseline was compared to the 9-day post-treatment visit value (p <0.05). The mean parasite densityin HIV positive subjects was statistically higher when compared to that of HIV negative individualsat baseline and 9-day post-treatment (p <0.05).Interpretation & conclusion: The study as such may not confirm the impact of malaria infection onprogression to AIDS, incorporating effective malaria control in HIV management programmes mayimprove tremendously the quality of life of HIV infected individuals