Microbiological quality of freshly squeezed sugar-cane juices vended in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Twenty fresh sugarcane juice samples were randomly bought from street vendors from 20 localities in Dar es Salaam city. Each sample was subjected to identification of microbial contaminants and microbiological assays. All samples were clear and odorless with pH ranging from 3.6 to 4.8. Most of the sugarcane juices harbored microorganisms beyond acceptable limits. Bacterial counts ranged from 1.44×105 to 6.0×105cfu/ml and fungal counts from 1.36×105 to 2.64×105cfu/ml, exceeding the specified limits by 10 to 100 folds. A total of 25 bacterial and 23 fungal (15 yeasts and 8 molds) isolates were found. Predominantly isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa while isolated fungi were Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus. Over 60% of bacterial contaminants were fecal coliforms, an indication of poor sanitary and unhygienic conditions of vendors/production sites. The microbiological quality of sugarcane juices vended in Dar es Salaam streets was thus questionable.Keywords: Microbiological quality, sugarcane juice, microbial contaminant

Integration of random amplification of polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) and DNA sequencing in search for strain-specific pharmacological targets in Echinococcus granulosus

Echinococcus granulosus a parasite characterized with intra-species variability and genetic studies show existence of 10 genotypes (G1-G10). Host specificity and different susceptibility to intermediate hosts has also been demonstrated. Better understanding of this parasitosis can assist in designing appropriate control and preventive measures and its management based on strain-molecular peculiarity. Thus, the necessity for identification and characterization of all strains. A total of 96 hydatid cysts from which either protoscolces or germinal membranes were extracted followed by DNA extraction and then, amplification by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The RAPD products with distinctive bands were cloned in pGEMT-Easy vector and recombinant DNA subjected to sequencing. Twelve oligonucleotides primers were designed from recombinant DNA sequences and strains-specific PCR were conducted. The PRC products amplified by primers P1F2R2 (Ta=66°C, 35 cycles) and P1F1R1TXPCRs (Ta = 66°C, 35 cycles) showed specie-specificity. Analysis of the DNA sequences showed homologies to some important molecules like laminin-binding protein and glutathione transferase. Notwithstanding that the present study indicates partial success on attaining distinctive strain-specific DNA sequences, the resultant polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were not strain-discriminatory. It is speculated that incorporation of more restriction endonucleases and well-adjusted reaction conditions strain-distinctive PCR-restriction fragment lenght polymorphism (RFLP) can be designed.Key words: Echinococcus granulosus, strain-specificity, random amplification of polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction RAPD-PCR, DNA sequencing

High prevalence of antibiotic resistance among bacteria isolated from pregnant women with asymptomatic urinary tract infections in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the major causes of morbidity in pregnant women because of physiological changes during pregnancy and, if unattended to may cause severe complications to mother and foetus. Asymptomatic urinary tract infections (AUTI) can be important predictors for pathogenesis of UTI. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of AUTI among pregnant women using rapid dipstick and routine culture methods to assess antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolated pathogens.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Using non-probability convenience sampling technique, a total of 202 pregnant women attending Antinatal Care (ANC) were recruited. Mid-stream urine was collected and subjected to rapid dipstick and urine culture media. Antibacterial susceptibility tests were conducted against the bacteria. Risk factors for AUTI and demographic data were obtained using pretested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS Vs. 20 software package.Results: Of the 202 pregnant women, 47 (23.3%) had AUTI. Age ranged from 15-45 years with a median of 26±3.0 years. The main uropathogens were Escherichia coli (E.coli) 22(46.8%). The dipstick test had sensitivity of 79.2% and specificity of 63.6%. Seventy-three percent of E. coli were resistant to ampicillin and 86% to erythromycin. The prevalence rate of antibiotic resistance among the isolated bacteria ranged from 73 to100%.Conclusion: Prevalent uropathogens among bacteria isolated from pregnant women with AUTI were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. High antibiotic resistance were observed among the bacteria. About 23% of pregnant women had AUTI. We advocate for regular culture of urine to be performed because of the lower sensitivity of dipstick test.Keywords: Pregnancy, antibiotic resistance, uropathogenic bacteri

Microbiological quality of pasteurized milk available in the Dar es Salaam Market, Tanzania

No AbstractKeywords: pasteurized milk, bacterial contaminants, antibiotic resistanc

Microbiological quality and preservative capacity of commonly available cosmetics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Ten brands of cosmetics were randomly purchased from shops in Dar es Salaam, and were subjected to microbiological assessment for microbial quality, preservative capacity and identification of microbial contaminants. Aliquots of each cosmetic were uniformly spread-plated on agar plates to quantify, isolate and identify microbial contaminants using conventional microbiological methods. The cup-plate technique complemented by the dilution test was used for evaluation of cosmetic preservative capacity. Microbial contaminants were present in 70% of the cosmetics. The most frequently isolated and identified microbial contaminants were attributable to Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus and Trichophyton species. The cosmetics displayed inadequate preservative capacity evidenced by inability to lower the inherent bio-burdens to acceptable levels and to inhibit growth of the tested microorganisms. Such products can have detrimental effects on health status of consumers as consequence of their altered stability profiles and secondary microbial infections. Therefore, microbiological quality control of cosmetics available in the Tanzanian market should be re-enforced. Keywords: Preservative capacity, cosmetics, microbial quality, microorganismsEast and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 13 (2010) 3- 1

Prevalence of asymptomatic urinary tract infections among pregnant women residing in a rural and an urban area in Tanzania

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Urine samples were collected using mid-stream "clean catch" method from 192 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Muhimbili National Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam City, and Mkuranga District Hospital in Coast Region. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic urinary tract infections (bacteriuria) among pregnant women residing in rural and urban areas and determine the antibiotic sensitivity profiles of causative pathogens using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Fourteen bacteria were isolated and their prevalence determined as Escherichia coli (64.2 %), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.3 %), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (7.1 %) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.3 %) with the resistance rates of the antibiotics ranging from 30-100 %. Nitrofurantoin showed the lowest resistance (0-33%). The prevalence rates of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women residing in urban and rural areas were 2.1 and 12.5 %, respectively. All isolated bacteria were resistant to Co-amoxiclav and erythromycin. Nitrofurantoin can thus be used as the first-line drug for treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria because of the observed lower resistance rate.Keywords: asymptomatic bacteriuria, antibiotic resistance, pregnant wome

The role of pharmacists in diabetes management in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam regions, Tanzania

A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in public diabetes clinics, hospital and community pharmacies in vicinity of diabetes clinics in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar to investigate the role of pharmacists in management of diabetes and diabetic patients’ care. Face to face interviews were conducted with patients, health workers and pharmacists. A total of 191 subjects were interviewed. Of those, 115 were patients, 18 health workers at the diabetes clinics and 58 pharmacists. Out of 18 health workers, none was pharmacist, and of those 13 (72.2%) were also involved in dispensing medicines. Majority (71%) of the interviewed patients were able to describe their medications, knew about the appropriate storage conditions and how to use them. Seventy-six percent (n=87) of the patients were aware of risks associated with non-adherence to medication regimen and symptoms of their disease conditions. Diabetesassociated complications and mitigation of the same were familiar to 64% and 72% of the patients, respectively. Pharmacists were not directly involved in diabetes patient care in clinics. Diabetic patients were managed by doctors and nurses. Procurement and storage of anti-diabetics were the main roles of hospital pharmacists. On the contrary, of 58 pharmacists, 51 (88%) community pharmacists were involved in counseling patients on storage and use of medicines. Based on these results, patients could not appreciate the roles of pharmacist in diabetes care. Therefore, pharmacists need to update their knowledge on diabetes through seminars and continuing education and professional development and thus be able to actively participate in the diabetes management and diabetes patient care.Keywords: Pharmacists, diabetes, patients, pharmacies, anti-diabetic drugsEast and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol.14 (2011) 64-7

Microbiological Quality of Juice Beverages Available in Dar es Salaam and Resistance Profiles of Microbial Contaminants

Eight most widely available juice beverages each constituted by four extemporaneous and four industrially made juices were bought from different localities in Dar es Salaam. Extemporaneous juices were randomly collected using sterile containers. Each sample was microbiologically analyzed using conventional methods. The identified microbes were subjected to antimicrobial resistance assays against 15 commonly used antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Reference strains of Escherichia coli (ATCC25922), Candida albicans (ATCC90028) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923) served as control microorganisms. Four microbial contaminants were isolated, namely Streptococcus spp, Escherichia coli, Staphylcoccus aureus, and Klebsiella spp. High content of contamination (4.1 × 105 cfu/ml of bacteria and 6.4 × 106 cfu/ml of fungi) were found in all extemporaneous juices. About 5.4 × 104 cfu/ml of bacteria and 6.8 × 104 cfu/ml of fungi were isolated from industrially produced juices. Microbial contaminants in juices exceeded acceptable limits by 100-fold. The Streptococcus spp and Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone and doxycycline.Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, microbial contamination, extemporaneously and industrially made juicesEast and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 14 (2011) 81-8

Antibacterial effects of nine brands of ciprofloxacin tablets available in Dar es Salaam

Nine brands of ciprofloxacin tablets available in Dar es Salaam City were assayed for antibacterial effects against three strains of bacteria namely Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The ciprofloxacin brands were randomly coded with letters A to I for commercial protection. The sampled tablets were pulverized and dissolved in 0.1M HCl. At 0, 15, 30, 45 and 90 min, and 24 h, 20 μl aliquots were drawn and embedded onto 5 mm diameter Whatman filter papers. Equal volume of 0.1M HCl and commercially available ciprofloxacin disc (1 μg) were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Results of the zones of inhibition at time 0 showed that none of the brands had comparable antibacterial effects as the positive control. The zones of inhibition produced by 3 brands (D, H and I) against E. coli were below specified limits (30-40 mm) at all assay times. The antibacterial effects of ciprofloxacin brands against S. aureus were only significant at 24 h. Brand A, which was the most expensive, exhibited the most potent antibacterial effect against test bacteria. Positive correlation between antibacterial effect and price was observed (R = 0.119; p = 0.290). High prevalence (44.4%) of poor quality ciprofloxacin tablets was observed. We recommend enforcement of post-market surveillance of medicines and more stern measures be imposed to prevent entry of poor quality drugs into Tanzania.Keywords: Antibacterial effect, inhibition zone, poor quality drug

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PROFILES OF BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM CHICKEN DROPPINGS IN DAR ES SALAAM

Objective: To determine resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from chicken droppings.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study involving collection of fresh chicken droppings from 100 chickens from 13 localities; followed by microbiological analysis using standard procedures. Multiple antibiotic resistance indices (MAR) were also determined for each of the isolated bacteria.Results: A total of 188 bacteria were isolated and subjected to susceptibility testing against 9 commonly used antibiotics. All tested bacteria exhibited multiple resistance to the antibiotics with MAR rates in this order Escherichia coli>Pseudomonas aeruginosa>Klebsiella pneumoniae>Staphylococcus aureus. More than half of P. aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi isolates were resistant to Ceftriaxone and Amikacin, while 77% of K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to Chloramphenicol.Conclusion: High rates of antibiotic resistance were observed to clinically used antibiotics among the isolated bacteria; suggesting that chicken rearing may serve as the reservoir of antibacterial resistant bacteria transmissible to human through the food chain.Â