Susceptibility-resistance profile of micro-organisms isolated from herbal medicine products sold in Nigeria

In order to evaluate the susceptibility and resistance pattern of bacteria and fungal isolates obtained from herbal medicine products (HMPs) marketed in Nigeria to conventional antibiotics, a total ofseventy-five (75) bacteria and fifty-two (52) fungi isolated from the HMPs were screened for susceptibility to conventional antibiotics using the disc diffusion method. Most of the bacteria isolateswere sensitive to the fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, 85.3%, norfloxacin 93.3%) and the aminoglycosides (streptomycin 90%, gentamycin 89.3%). However, the isolates demonstratedsignificant resistance to common antibiotics like penicillins (augmentin [amoxycillin-cavulanic acid combination] 80%, cloxacillin 88.3%, ampicillin 56%), cephalosporins (rocephine [ceftriaxone] 65%,ceporex [cephalexin] 80%, cefuroxime 100%), chloramphenicol (66.7%), nitrofurantoin (100%) and cotrimoxazole (93.3%). Most of the fungal isolates were resistant to griseofulvin (67.3%) but susceptible to nystatin (73.1%), ketoconazole (98.1%), tioconazole (100%), clotrimazole (78.9%) and miconazole (88.5%). A significant proportion of bacteria and fungi isolated from these HMPs demonstratedresistance to conventional antibiotics. The present study therefore reveals that HMPs may represent novel routes of spread of antibiotic-resistant genes especially in developing countries. Efforts shouldtherefore be geared at standardizing the quality of HMPs via strict adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

In vitro evaluation of the interaction between tea extracts and penicillin G against staphylococcus aureus

The herb-drug interaction between tea (Carmelia sinensis) extract and penicillin G (Pen G) was investigated against three strains of Staphylococcus aureus using pair combinations in an in vitro decimal assay for additivity test. Results showed that the interactions between penicillin G and teaextracts were mainly additive against the three strains of S. aureus. This suggests that the concomitant administration of tea and Pen G may not impair the antimicrobial activity of Pen G

Prevalence of Methicillin–Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Nasal Swabs of Hospitalized Children in Abakaliki

Staphylococcus aureus is a major bacterial pathogen that causes different community and hospital-acquired infections. Over time, strains of S. aureus have become resistant to different antibiotics including penicillinase-resistant penicillins. Having data on the local antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of this pathogen is necessary for selection of appropriate antibiotics for empirical treatment of infections due to it. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphlococcus aureus in nasal swabs of children admitted in the pediatric ward of Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. One hundred and five consecutive isolates of MRSA were isolated from nasal swabs of children in pediatrics wards of EBSUTH using standard microbiology techniques. Susceptibility studies of MRSA isolates to various classes of antibiotics were determined by disc diffusion methods. The overall susceptibility of isolated MRSA strains to antimicrobial agents was 100% for vancomycin,10% for ciprofloxacin, 40% for ceftazidime, 25% forcefotaxime,48% forcefoxitin,10% for penicillin, 65% for erythromycin, 75% for clindamycin, 37% for amikacin, 18% for co-trimoxazole, 15% for oxacillin and 29% for cloxacillin. In conclusion prevalence of MRSA was low and other than vancomycin, clindamycin and erythromycin, none of the tested antibiotics are appropriate for empirical treatment of serious MRSA infection in our area.Keywords: MRSA, Antibiotics susceptibility, Nasal swab, Children, Pediatrics wardNig J. Biotech. Vol. 24 (2012) 1-

In vitro interaction of ampicillin with ciprofloxacin or spiramycin as determined by the decimal assay for additivity technique

The in vitro interactions of Ampicillin (AMP) with Ciprofloxacin (CIP) and Ampicillin with Spiramycin (SPIR) were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12600 using the Decimal Assay for Additivity (DAA) technique. Most of the combinations of CIP/AMP with Biological Equivalent Factor (BEF) (5/30mg) or SPIR/AMP with biological equivalent factor (BEF) (10.96/30mg) against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12600 showed synergism. Given that the test organism was intrinsically resistant to either SPIR or AMP alone (MIC, 15.6 and 23.4 µg/ml respectively), the observed in vitro synergism could be therapeutically exploited. Moreover, the present data further authenticates the potential applicability of the DAA technique in selecting suitable antibiotic combinations prior to combined antimicrobial therapy. Keywords: decimal assay for additivity (DAA), antibiotic interaction, Ciprofloxacin, spiramycin, ampicillin Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 5(1) 2006: 12-1

Susceptibility of hospital strains of staphylococcus aureus to Isol&#174, Dettol&#174 Purit&#174, and Septol&#174 disinfectants marketed in Nsukka, Enugu State

No Abstract