5 research outputs found
In Vitro Antimicrobial Studies of Plait Aqueous Extracts of Some Nigerian Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants have been used by man to treat various kinds of infections without scientfic pror of their efficacy. The Antimicrobial activities of aqueous extracts of four Nigerian medicinal plants namely: Solanum americanum, Euphorbia hirta, Cassia occidentalis and Telfaria occidentalis were investigated against a wide range of isolated strains of bacteria by the disc diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the extracts were also determined on the susceptible organisms. These plant extracts are used in Nigeria folklore medicine to treat infections of microbial origin. Aqueous extracts of the investigated plants showed antibacterial activities against different pathogenic bacteria. Among the pathogenic organisms used, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were susceptible to three of the aqueous extracts used at concentrations of 100μg/ml. The plant extracts demonstrated broadspectrum antibacterial activity against the microorganisms tested. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Solanum americanum was between 6.3μg/ml to 25μg/ml against these test organisms while MIC of Cassia occidental is ranged between 12.5μg/ml to 25μg/ml, while that of Eurporbia hirta ranged between 25μg/ml and 50μg/ml. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of Cassia occidentalis and Euphorbia hirta was 25μg/ml for all the bacterial isolates, while that for Solanum americanum was 12.5μg/ml for Pseudomonas aemginosa and Staphlococcus aureus and 25μg/ml for E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Medicinal plants, Minimum Bactericidal Concentration, Minimum Inhibitory Concentratio
Fungal agents in different anatomical sites in Public Health Services in Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil
INTRODUCTION: A contribution to the regional epidemiological profile of the most common fungal agents in Public Health Services in Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, including university hospitals and polyclinics. METHODS: Clinical specimens (n = 1,496) from 1,078 patients were collected, submitted to direct mycological exam (potash or stick tape method) and cultured in specific mediums. Dermatophytic and non-dermatophytic agents were identified according to micromorphology (Ridell technique). RESULTS: The majority of the 1,496 specimens were skin (n = 985) and nail exams (n = 472). Of the 800 positive cultures, 246 (30.8%) corresponded to dermatophytes and 336 (42%) to yeasts of the genus Candida, 190 (23.7%) to other yeasts, 27 (3.4%) to non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi and one (0.1%) the agent of subcutaneous mycosis. Lesions considered primary occurred in greater numbers (59.5%) than recurrent lesions (37.4%), with a greater concentration of positivity occurring on the arms and legs. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities, allergies and diabetes mellitus were conditions associated with greater positivity in direct mycological exams and cultures. Positive culture was considered a definitive diagnosis of fungal infection and confirmed 47.8% of diagnostic hypotheses