The profiles of packed cells volume, plasma electrolytes and glucose levels in malarial infected patients

Fifty patients (18 males, 32 females) with malaria infection and 50 apparently healthy control subjects (22 males, 28 females) were recruited for the study. Hematocrit level (PCV) was determined using Heco C haematology analyzer. Plasma electrolytes (Na+, K+, HCO3 -, Cl-), and glucose were respectively analyzed by SM23A Spectrophotometer, using TECO DIAGNOSTICS and RANDOX enzymatic glucose methods respectively. The results showed a significant reduction in the mean values of PCV (30.04±5.31%), Na+ (131.56±6.63 mmol/L), and glucose (85.92±13.85 mg/dL) in the malaria-infected subjects compared with the mean values of PCV (38.74±3.12%), Na+ (134.14±5.95 mmol/L), and glucose (92.40±13.99 mg/dL) (P<0.05) obtained from the control subjects. We observed higher significant mean values of K+ (3.93±0.79 mmol/L) and HCO3 - (23.56±2.55 mmol/L) in the malariainfected subjects compared with the control mean values of K+ (3.62±0.51mmol/L) and HCO3 - (23.48±2.02 mmol/L) (P<0.05). The mean values for chloride observed in the malaria-infected subjects, Cl- (99.52±7.44) was higher than the observed mean in the control subjects, Cl- (99.50±6.33), but was not statistically significant P>0.05. The mean (±standard deviation) of PCV, Na+, K+, HCO3 -, Cl- and glucose in malariainfected patients of different age groups were compared with the age-matched controls, and there were significant differences only in the age groups involving PCV and potassium in the 1-20 and >40 age brackets. This study has shown the importance of electrolyte management in patients with severe malaria to prevent attendant physiological failure during complications

Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori from patients in Ile-Ife, South-west, Nigeria

Background: Helicobacter pylori has become recognized as a major cause of gastroduodenal diseases in man. Evidence indicates that once acquired, H. pylori persists, usually for life unless eradicated by antimicrobial therapy. Over the past few years, we have accumulated some knowledge of the epidemiology of H. pylori in Ile-Ife, South-West Nigeria. In one collaborative study, we detected H. pylori in 195 (73%) patients referred for endoscopy at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC). Furthermore we have observed a variegated gastric inflammatory response and atrophy including atrophic pangastritis but are yet to demonstrate MALToma in any of our patients. In addition we have demonstrated that dental plaque is a possible source of gastric H. pylori infection and such an endogenous source could account for difficulty in eradication leading to re-infection. Presently, infected patients are treated with standard combination therapy made up of amoxycilin and ciprofloxacin with a proton pump inhibitor /bismuth. Reports however have shown that the incidence of antimicrobial resistance in Helicobacter pylori is a growing problem and which has been linked with failures in treatment and eradication. Given this situation it has become necessary to have information about the susceptibility of isolates to particular antimicrobial agents before the selection of an appropriate treatment regimen. Objectives: More recently, we sought to study antimicrobial susceptibility of locally isolated H. pylori strains. Methods: We subjected 32 isolates to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against seven agents. Results: All the isolates showed multiple acquired antimicrobial resistance as they were all resistant to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, while 29/31, 27/31 showed resistance to rifampicin and tetracycline respectively. Five (15.6%) of these isolates showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that H. pylori strains isolated within our study environment have acquired resistance to all the commonly prescribed antibiotics. On the basis of the findings it would be necessary to re-evaluate the eradication treatment regime in our setting. African Health Sciences Vol. 7 (3) 2007: pp. 143-14