MICROBIAL QUALITY OF IMPORTED FROZEN Sardinella species AND Micromesistius poutassou OFFERED FOR SALE IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

Microbial quality of frozen fish offered for sale in Oyo state markets was investigated. The four Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones of the state were used for the study. Sardinella species and Micromesistius poutassou were selected among the commercially important imported frozen fish species in the state based on their availability in all zones. Bacterial and Fungal counts were determined using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, percentages and t-test. Ten bacteria and three fungi and three yeast species were isolated from the fishes evaluated.  Predominant bacteria isolates were Shewanella putrefaciens and Streptococcus faecium, fungi included Penicillium notatum and Aspergillus niger while yeast were Cryptococccus laurentii and Torulaspora debrueckii. Total viable counts for bacterial and fungal counts were 3.1x105cfu/g and 1.8x105cfu/g, respectively for Sardinella spp. and 3.2x105cfu/g and 2.4x105cfu/g for M. poutassou. Although all the fish samples were within acceptable limit, the number of bacteria isolated showed that the quality of frozen fish did not reach expected standard in Oyo state. Keywords: Microbial quality; Frozen fish; Bacteria count; Fungi count, ADP zones DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/85-08 Publication date:March 31st 201

Qualitative Characteristics of Hot Smoked, Cold Smoked and Ovenried Heterotis Niloticus under Cold Storage Temperature Condition

The quality characteristics of processed fresh Heterotis niloticus collected from Badagry Lagoon area of Lagos was investigated under different processing methods. Hot smoked (at 800c at 12 hours per day for two days), Cold smoked (at 300c for 18 hours) and oven dried (at 600c for two days) with regular turning of the fish manually. Each of the processed samples (consisting of 20 samples in each treatment.) were separately kept in transparent nylon and put in a freezer for 12 week at -250c. Samples were taken fortnightly for various analysis. A total of 80 fresh Heterotis niloticus (descaled, degutted and washed with clean water) averaging 350 ± 0.88gm, total length 26.50 ± 0.64 cm) were collected for this study. Initial and final proximate analysis for the different processed fish samples were taken as well as chemical analysis (P.V, F.F.A and T.V.B-N), organoleptic assessment (appearance, taste, texture and odour) and microbial analysis (isolation, identification and count) were also examined at two weeks interval. The initial and final proximate analysis of cold smoked processed Heterotis niloticus had highest moisture content of 32.73% (initial ), and 27.21%  (final), protein (41.20% and 42.32%). Oven dried; moisture content (27.80%, 25.70%), protein (37.40%, 38.83%) while Hot smoked, also had a moisture content of (28.71%, 26.68%) crude protein (38.75% and 39.26%) respectively. Chemical parameters were significantly different p?0.05 for the three processing methods (cold smoked, hot smoked and oven dried as follows,. TVB-N (3.11, 2.54 and 2.60) mg N/100gm., FFA (5.21%, 4.68% and 4.85% ) and PV mean values(4.31,3.75 and4.85) meq/kg respectively. The organoleptic assessment score was just satisfactory at eight week of storage, especially for odour, but Hot smoked samples was still good at 10th week and oven dried samples was satisfactory. Microbial count (bacteria and fungi), the cold smoked product was significantly different at p?0.05 from the other two processing methods. Mean bacteria count was highest (70.14cfu/gm), followed by oven dried (2.14 cfu/gm) and least (2.00 cfu/gm) in hot smoked. Mean total microbial count was highest (575 cfu/gm) for cold smoked, 28 cfu/gm (oven dried) and the heat is 24 cfu/gm in hot smoked. The best processing method is hot smoking with the least microbial count 24 cfu/gm, T.V.B-N 2.54 mg N/100gm, F.F.A 4.68% and 3.75 meq/kg. spoilage increase with storage length with positive correlation (r) recorded for all the parameters in the 3 processing methods. Microbial count /isolation was not recorded for (0-8weeks) in hot smoked fish fish with Staphylococous aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa not represented throughout the 12weeks of study. In oven dried, bacteria and fungi were represented as from the 12th weeks while only two fungi specie (Aspeigillus niger and Sacchromyces sp occurred only in the 10th week. All the microbial species were represented through the 12weeks in the oven dried fish. Organoleptic assessment showed hot smoked with the best appearance, taste, texture and odour (with mean scores of (4.74, 5.02, 4.72, and4.79) followed by oven dried (4.62,4.71,4.70, and 4.64); while the worst processing method is cold smoked (4.10, 3.95, 4.07 and 3.26) with just satisfactory (3.95 and 3.26) taste and odour at 12 week of cold storage at -250c Keywords: Quality characteristics, Cold smoked, Oven dried

Assessment of Distribution and Handling Procedures of Imported Frozen Fish in Oyo State, Nigeria

Fish is a highly perishable food and there is dearth of information on quality control along the distribution chain to the final consumer. Therefore quality and handling procedures of imported frozen fish within Oyo state were investigated. The study area was stratified into four Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones (Ibadan/Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Oyo and Saki). All cold store operators (n=67) and 5.0% of registered retailers per zone (n=150) were randomly selected and assessed using 217 structured questionnaires to obtain information on compliance level on temperature management, personal hygiene, facilities’ sanitation and handling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and percentages. Compliance level to quality measures by cold store operators in all the zones were 65.7%, 83.6% and 92.5% for temperature management, personal hygiene and facilities’ sanitation, respectively. Ibadan/Ibarapa zone had the highest cold storage capacity of 7,433 tonnes and the least was Saki zone with 61 tonnes. Transportation of fish to retail points were by motorcycle (43.3%), taxi cab (31.1%) and by head load (24.0%). Fish was displayed by retailers using bowls (50.0%), wooden tables (36.7%) and wooden boards (10.0%). Only 57.3% of retailers washed their tables daily and none used chlorinated water. Most cold stores met the recommended temperature for cold storage. Keywords: Frozen fish, Fish storage, Cold store operators, Fish retailers

In-vitro ant sickling and sickling-reversal activities of Carica papaya fruit at different stages of ripening

Objective: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a haemoglobinopathy that causes several clinical complications. Unripe Carica papaya has been shown to possess ant sickling activity that could reduce these complications. This study aimed to examine the presence of ant sickling and sickling-reversal activities of aqueous extracts and ethyl acetate fractions of C. papaya fruit at different stages of ripening. Methods: Unripe, partly ripe, and fully ripe fruits were quantitatively screened for some phytochemicals using standard methods. Blood samples from sickle cell patients were used to investigate ant sickling and sickling reversal activities of aqueous extracts and ethyl acetate fractions of the fruits. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA. The p-value was set at 0.05. Results: Phytochemicals such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and polyphenols were found in varying concentrations in C. papaya fruit at the different stages of ripening. All extracts and fractions showed antisickling and sickling-reversal activities with the ethyl acetate fraction of partly ripe C. papaya being most effective.  Conclusion: The study showed that C. papaya fruit at different stages of ripening contains antisickling and sickling-reversal activities which may help reduce the associated complications of SCD when consumed by affected individuals

Urinary Pathogens and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Patients with Indwelling Urinary Catheter

The indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) is the most significant risk factor for developing nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTIs). In order to determine the spectrum of bacterial etiology and antibiotic resistance pattern of uropathogens causing catheter associated UTI, a convenient sample size of ninety-two (92) patients on urethral catheter was investigated. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the OAUTHC research and ethical committee. Catheter stream urine samples were obtained from all patients and cultured on appropriate culture media. Suspected isolates were identified by a combination of standard tests and using MICROBACT GNA12A/B/E. Susceptibility of the isolates against thirteen (13) antibiotics was performed by the disc diffusion method. Significant bacteriuria was observed in 60.9% (56) catheter specimen urine (CSU) received, while 39.1% (36) were culture negative. Of the 56 positive culture, the predominant organisms were Klebsiella oxytoca, 28.6 %( 16), Proteus vulgaris, 23.2% (13) and Staphylococcus aureus, 12.5% (7). Overall, the antimicrobial susceptibility results showed that all the isolates were highly resistant to the antibiotics tested. Over 50% resistance was recorded for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. More than 25% of the isolates were resistant to nitrofurantoin. This study indicates that catheter stream UTI caused by multiply resistant bacteria are common in our hospital. There is a need to establish standard guidelines on the care of catheter for all units in the hospital with a view to preventing nosocomial infections associated with the use of the catheter in patients. We also advocated prudent use of antibiotics. Key words: Antibiotic resistance, Urinary catheter, Uropathogens, Urinary tract infectio

Group B Streptococcus Carriage during Late Pregnancy in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

This study determined the prevalence of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in late pregnancy and the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated GBS as well as the impact of GBS infections on pregnancy related clinical outcome with a view of providing an epidemiological baseline data for policy formulation in the teaching hospital. It is an observational and cross-sectional hospital based study. One hundred and fifty pregnant women from 35-40 weeks of gestation were purposively selected and included in the study from May to December 2010. Vaginal swab samples were aseptically collected from the subjects after informed consent. The samples were assayed for presence of GBS. The susceptibility pattern of the isolated GBS to different antibiotics were assessed using disc diffusion and agar dilution techniques based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards institute(CLSI) standards. The result showed prevalence of 11.3% GBS vaginal colonization which increased with age. There was no significant association between GBS colonization status and age (p >0.05)), gestational age (p >0.05)), gravidity (p >0.05) and obstetric risk factors (p >0.05)). There was no incidence of GBS infection observed. Although, all (17) the GBS isolates were 100% resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, cefoxitin and clindamycin. Resistance to cefotaxime (11.8%), erythromycin (64.7%) and vancomycin 70.6% were observed. Group B Streptococcus colonization in vagina in late pregnancy has been established in the antenatal clinic of the teaching hospital with the attendant risk to the fetus in the population of those affected. There were high and multiple resistance patterns of the GBS isolates to different antibiotics in this study. This calls for a review of the present hospital policy to include the routine screening of GBS during antenatal visits and surveillance

Hospital Acquired Infection in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Southwest, Nigeria: A Ten Year Review (2000-2009)

Surveillance and proper hygiene have been identified as key components in the fight against HAIs and antimicrobial resistance in hospital setting. This study assesses the pattern of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) and state of hygiene in a tertiary hospital in southwest, Nigeria. Data collected routinely between January 2000 and December 2009 by the infection control committee on HAI and primary data generated on hygiene in the wards were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques. A total of 37,957 patients were admitted during the period under review and 1129 cases (3.0%) of HAI were reported. The highest prevalence of 9.0% was reported in 2006. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) had the highest period prevalence of 14.7% followed by Orthopaedics ward (7.7%). Surgical ward contributed the highest number of cases with 433. Gram negative organisms were the most implicated (78%) of which Klebsiella species was 38% while Staphylococcus aureus was the only Gram positive organism identified (28%). Hand washing was practised universally by health workers but facilities for proper hand washing were inadequate. The pattern of HAI has not changed significantly in the past 10 years and Klebsiella was the most implicated organism in HAIs and ICU. Facilities for proper hand washing are suboptimal. We recommend the introduction of hand washing policy for the hospital and the provision of an environment conducive for its implementation by the hospital management as well as adequate support for the infection control committee in the discharge of her duties.Keywords: Hand washing, Hospital-acquired, Hygiene, Infection contro

Paradoxical Transtentorial Herniation Caused by Lumbar Puncture after Decompressive Craniectomy

Although decompressive craniectomy is an effective treatment for various situations of increased intracranial pressure, it may be accompanied by several complications. Paradoxical herniation is known as a rare complication of lumbar puncture in patients with decompressive craniectomy. A 38-year-old man underwent decompressive craniectomy for severe brain swelling. He remained neurologically stable for five weeks, but then showed mental deterioration right after a lumbar puncture which was performed to rule out meningitis. A brain computed tomographic scan revealed a marked midline shift. The patient responded to the Trendelenburg position and intravenous fluids, and he achieved full neurologic recovery after successive cranioplasty. The authors discuss the possible mechanism of this rare case with a review of the literature

Self-inflicted nail-gun injury with cranial penetration and use of intraoperative computed tomography

Background: Management of penetrating cranial trauma remains a high acuity and imaging intense neurosurgical disorder. Imaging of vital structures, including angiography, is typically conducted to understand the proximity of vital structures in comparison to a foreign body and prepare for intraoperative complications such as hemorrhage. Preservation of function following initial injury in cases where minimal neurological deficit exists is essential. Case Description: Here, we present a case using intraoperative computed tomography to assist in early detection and resolution of hemorrhage in the surgical management of an intact patient with self-inflicted penetrating cranial trauma. Conclusions: This method may aid in early detection of hemorrhage and prevention of consequential neurological deterioration or emergent need for secondary surgery