Microbiological Assessment of Bacterial Isolates from Ear, Nose And Throat (ENT) Among Patients Attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital

Samples from patients who reported to in-patient ENT unit of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano were isolated for further microbiological assessment. One hundred (100) from both male and female patients comprising 55 ear swabs, 30 and 15 throat and nose swabs respectively were screened between February and April 2014 and the samples were analysed using culture technique, direct microscopy and identification of bacteria (using API 20E strip). Finding from the study identified eight genera of bacteria i.e. Escherichia coli, Haemophilus streptococcus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Staphylococcus aureus recorded the highest rates (24.17%) which was isolated in ear, nose and throat swabs, while P. aeruginosa has (19.78%) isolated in only ear swabs. The numbers of microorganisms isolated are as follows: 52 (ear), 14 (nose) and 25 (throat).Keywords: Prevalence, Bacteria, Ear, Nose and Throat, Isolate

Incidence of vulvovaginal candidiasis associated with Candida albicans among pregnant women attending Gombe State Specialist Hospital, Gombe, Nigeria

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common cause of vaginitis during pregnancy. It is a source of great physical and psychological discomfort as well as suffering. Samples of endocervical and high vaginal swab were collected from 150 women attending Gombe specialist hospital and were inoculated on Saboraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) incorporated with  Chloramphenicol to rid the culture of bacterial contaminants. Gram’s staining technique and Germ tube test were employed for the identification, as, Candida albicans is positive for both. The gram positive ones were 132 (88%) and were also subjected to germ tube test. 18 (12%) were found to be gram negative. Of the gram positive ones, 120 (91%) were also positive for germ tube test; confirming the presence of Candidaalbicans. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed that Ketoconazole was more effective at concentrations of 20, 50 and 100ìg/disc with zones of inhibitions of 18.50, 23.50 and 35.50mm respectively, than Griseofulvin (Fulcin) with only 26.00mm zone of inhibition at 100ìg/disc concentration.Keywords: Vulvovaginal, Endocervical, High vaginal swab, Antifungal susceptibility, Candida albicans

Use of transverse penile fasciocutaneous flap in management of long segment anterior urethral stricture at the Jos university teaching hospital, Jos Nigeria

Background: Urethral stricture may be defined as a narrowing of the lumen of the urethra due to scar tissue formation. It results from fibrosis and loss of compliance of the urethra leading to bladder outlet obstruction. Treatment of long segment urethral stricture is a huge challenge to the reconstructive Urologist. This study is to determine the aetiology of long segment urethral stricture, location of the stricture, use of distal transverse penile fasciocutaneous flap and the complications associated with the use of the flap.Methods: Twenty two patients with long segment anterior urethral stricture from 2014 to 2017 at the Jos University teaching hospital were included in the study. Patient assessment included complete history including past interventions for the urethral stricture disease, physical examination and radiological examination. Patient’s age, aetiology of stricture, stricture length, location of stricture, surgical management and complications were recorded.Results: Twenty two consecutive patients were involved in the study. The mean age was 48.8years with a range of 35 to 70 years. Post infection accounted for 64% of the strictures while catheter induced inflammatory stricture accounted for 36%. The mean length of the stricture was 9.4cm, with a range of 5cm to 15cm. Penile fasciocutaneous flap was used in all the repairs. Overall complication was 27.3%.Conclusions: Transverse penile fasciocutaneous flap is a well-vascularized pedicle and skin island. It is mobile and can be adapted to repair long segment anterior urethral strictures. Surgical complications include ring stenosis, penile skin necrosis and urethrocutaneous fistula

Occurrence and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella spp. in raw beef from wet market and hypermarket in Malaysia

Salmonellae are highly pathogenic foodborne bacteria able to cause infection even at low doses. Infection by Salmonella from contaminated foods leads to gastrointestinal disease known as salmonellosis. Raw beef can be a source of human infection if the meat products are not properly handled, stored or cooked. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and concentration of Salmonella in the raw beef sold at wet markets and hypermarkets in Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, using MPN-PCR and MPN-plating on Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD) medium. In addition, Salmonella isolates recovered from the samples were tested for antibiotics susceptibility using Kirby-Bauer antibiotic susceptibility testing. The incidence of Salmonella in the raw beef samples using plating and PCR methods were 64.63% (53/82) and 17.07% (14/82) respectively. The microbial concentration of Salmonella in raw beef samples ranged between 3-4600 MPN/g by MPN-plating and 3-30 MPN/g by MPN-PCR approach. All isolates were found to be susceptible to imipenem, gentamicin, kanamycin, and chloramphenicol but resistant to cephalothin. It can be deduced from the results that raw beef can be a reservoir for Salmonella infection and the use of cephalothin (30 μg) in the treatment of infection due to these strains could be ineffective. Preventive measures such as proper temperature control as well as proper handling of raw beef in the market place are crucial to the minimization of any potential health hazard posed by this foodborne pathogen

Immunomodulatory Effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Leaf Aqueous Extracts in Cockerels Vaccinated and Experimentally Infected with Infectious Bursal Disease Virus

The aim of the present work was to study the immunomodulatory potentials of aqueous extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf in cockerels vaccinated and/ or infected with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Four hundred and eighty (480) day old cockerels were used and allocated into 8 groups. The birds were grouped as vaccinated/ unvaccinated, challenged/ unchallenged, neem leaf treated/ untreated groups. The IBD vaccines (intermediate plus strain) were given at 14 and 28 days of age while the experimental infection using very virulent IBD virus (vvIBDV) was inoculated at 35 days of age and the extracts were given from day old to 6 week old.Serum samples were collected on first day and on weekly intervals while post challenge, onset of the disease, clinical signs and mortality rate were recorded. The results obtained showed higher antibody titre, faster seroconversion, mild clinical sign and very low mortality in the neem leaf treated groups. These results indicated that the neem leaf aqueous extract has immunomodulatory potentials by increasing the antibody titre post vaccination and the ability to prevent mortality

Use of transverse penile fasciocutaneous flap in management of long segment anterior urethral stricture at the Jos university teaching hospital, Jos Nigeria

Background: Urethral stricture may be defined as a narrowing of the lumen of the urethra due to scar tissue formation. It results from fibrosis and loss of compliance of the urethra leading to bladder outlet obstruction. Treatment of long segment urethral stricture is a huge challenge to the reconstructive Urologist. This study is to determine the aetiology of long segment urethral stricture, location of the stricture, use of distal transverse penile fasciocutaneous flap and the complications associated with the use of the flap.Methods: Twenty two patients with long segment anterior urethral stricture from 2014 to 2017 at the Jos University teaching hospital were included in the study. Patient assessment included complete history including past interventions for the urethral stricture disease, physical examination and radiological examination. Patient’s age, aetiology of stricture, stricture length, location of stricture, surgical management and complications were recorded.Results: Twenty two consecutive patients were involved in the study. The mean age was 48.8years with a range of 35 to 70 years. Post infection accounted for 64% of the strictures while catheter induced inflammatory stricture accounted for 36%. The mean length of the stricture was 9.4cm, with a range of 5cm to 15cm. Penile fasciocutaneous flap was used in all the repairs. Overall complication was 27.3%.Conclusions: Transverse penile fasciocutaneous flap is a well-vascularized pedicle and skin island. It is mobile and can be adapted to repair long segment anterior urethral strictures. Surgical complications include ring stenosis, penile skin necrosis and urethrocutaneous fistula

Assessment of Foods and Drinks for the Presence of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) Producing Bacteria in Gombe Metropolis, Nigeria

Objectives: To make preliminary screening study for the presence of ESBL producing bacteria, in food and drinks sold in Gombe metropolis. 30 samples of food and drinks were collected and analyzed. Method: Bacterial isolation was performed on nutrient agar and identification started from gram staining; the gram negative isolates obtained, among which ESBL producers were found and further subjected to standard biochemical tests and confirmed to be enterobacteriaceae. They were then screened for ESBLs in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) breakpoint, and the suspected ESBLs bacteria were confirmed using double disc synergy testing (DDST) with standard Augmentin (Amoxycillin/ Clavulanic Acid, 30μg; Oxoid England, CT0223B), Ceftriaxone (CRO 30μg; Oxoid England, CT0417B) and Ceftazidime (CAZ 30μg; Oxoid England, CT0412B). Findings: The fourteen 14(100%) Gram negative bacteria isolated were found to include Pseudomonasaeruginosa 2(14.29%) and members of the family Enterobacteriaceae (enteric gram negative rods): Citrobacterfreundii 2(14.29%), Enterobacterspp. 1(7.14%), Escherichiacoli 4(28.57%), Klebsiellapneumoniae 3(21.43%), Proteusvulgaris 1(7.14%) and Salmonellatyphi 1(7.14%). When screened for ESBL production based on CLSI breakpoint, only 6 (49.99%) were positive and included C.freundii 1(7.14%), E.coli 2(14.29%), K.pneumoniae 1(7.14%), S. typhi 1(7.14%) and 1(7.14%) for Ps. aeruginosa. On subjecting them to DDST, only 2(33.34%) out of them were found to be ESBLs positive by an increase in inhibition zone of 5mm toward the centre disc, Augmentin. They include E. coli 1(16.67%) and S. typhi 1(16.67%). Application: In a nutshell, foods and drinks sold therein could serve as reservoirs for ESBLs producing bacteria