Uropathogens isolated from HIV-infected patients from Limpopo Province, South Africa

The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of uropathogens isolated from HIV-infected patients in Limpopo Province, South Africa. One hundred and ninety-five urine samples were obtained from HIV-infected patients between June 2008 and May 2009 and the samples were investigated using standard and conventional microbiological methods. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) were detected in 95 samples. Enterobacter species (37.6%) was the most prevalent uropathogen. Other bacterial isolates included Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species, each constituting 17.9%, Citrobacter species (9.7%), Proteus species (7.4%) and others (11.6%). Resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT) which is used for empiric therapy was above 35%. However, majority of the isolates were susceptible to amikacin, ciprofloxacin and most of the second generation cephalosporins as well as imipenem. Resistance of uropathogens to SXT in Limpopo Province is higher than the recommended IDSA setting and this requires the introduction of an alternative first-line therapy.Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, HIV, uropathogens, urinary tract infection

Antibacterial activity of honey and medicinal plant extracts against Gram negative microorganisms

There has been a steady rise in antibiotic resistance of bacteria and this urgently calls for the discovery of alternative therapeutic agents. Honey possesses therapeutic potentials which includes antimicrobial activity. Although the antimicrobial activity of honey has been effectively established against an extensive spectrum of microorganisms, it differs depending on the type of honey. To date, not much extensive studies of the antibacterial properties of South African honeys on enteric microorganisms have been conducted. The objective of this study was to compare the antibacterial activity of extracts of six different honeys with those of medical plants commonly used in South Africa. Using a broth dilution method, the antibacterial activity extracts of six South African honeys and medicinal plants against six enteric microorganisms viz- Enterobacter cloacae, Escheriachia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii isolated from geophagia samples and Aeromonas hydrophila and plesiomonas isolated both from stool and water samples using agar well diffusion method was done. Different concentrations of honey and plant extracts were tested against each type of microorganism. Briefly, two-fold dilutions of honey solutions were tested to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against each type of microorganism. Extracts from both South African honeys and medicinal plants showed zones of inhibition that ranged from 6.94 to 37.94 mm. The most susceptible bacteria were Escheriachia coli, Aeromonas hydrophila and Plesiomonas shigelloides. MIC and MBC values of extracts were found in the range of 0.625 to 5.000 mg/ml. Extracts of honey showed good antibacterial activity against most organisms than the standard antibiotics such as Ampicillin and Gentamycin. Honey extracts showed antibacterial activity against most microorganisms which were showing some degree of resistance to commercial antibiotics. Extracts from South African honeys and medicinal plants exhibited variable activities against different microorganisms. This result suggests that the honeys could potentially be used as an alternative therapeutic agent against certain microorganisms.Keywords: Agar well diffusion assay, honey, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentrationAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(4), pp. 616-625, 22 January, 201

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among HIV/AIDS patients from two health institutions in Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections play a vital role in the prognosis of HIV/AIDS in patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in HIV-infected individuals in two health facilities in Abuja-Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in two sites: the GEDE AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Institute (GAIDRI), and the Human Virology Institute-General Hospital Asokoro-Abuja, Nigeria. A total of 119 subjects were recruited (85 HIV infected and 34 HIV negative). Stool specimens collected were analyzed macroscopically and microscopically for consistency and the presence of enteric parasites. Results: The overall prevalence rate of enteroparasites obtained in this study was 22.7% (27/119). The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV infected patients was 24.7 %; while in HIV negative persons, it was 17.6%. However, the high rate obtained for HIV infected patients was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Although the prevalence rate of enteric parasites in HIV/AIDS patients was higher than in HIV negative individuals, this difference is not statistically significant. Even though there was no statistical difference in the two groups, parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients often result in debilitating illness. Keywords: Prevalence; Parasitic infection; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrom

Tools for genotyping human immunodeficiency virus, and implications of genetic diversity on diagnostics, treatment and prevention

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presents an unprecedented genetic variability within infected individuals and across geographical locales. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for almost 70% of all HIV infections worldwide and represents the region with the highest diversity of genetic variants of the virus. This review looks at the current approaches and techniques for the determination of HIV genetic diversity. In addition, the rationale for a continuous periodic monitoring of the genetic landscape due to the implications of shifting genetics on the efficacy of diagnostics, treatment and prevention strategies is highlighted

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among HIV/AIDS patients from two health institutions in Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections play a vital role in the prognosis of HIV/AIDS in patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in HIV-infected individuals in two health facilities in Abuja-Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in two sites: the GEDE AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Institute (GAIDRI), and the Human Virology Institute-General Hospital Asokoro-Abuja, Nigeria. A total of 119 subjects were recruited (85 HIV infected and 34 HIV negative). Stool specimens collected were analyzed macroscopically and microscopically for consistency and the presence of enteric parasites. Results: The overall prevalence rate of enteroparasites obtained in this study was 22.7% (27/119). The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV infected patients was 24.7 %; while in HIV negative persons, it was 17.6%. However, the high rate obtained for HIV infected patients was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Although the prevalence rate of enteric parasites in HIV/AIDS patients was higher than in HIV negative individuals, this difference is not statistically significant. Even though there was no statistical difference in the two groups, parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients often result in debilitating illness