Effect of fermentation on the chemical composition of wheat (triticum aestivum) and maize (zea mays) flours and sensory evaluation of biscuits made from their flours

Background: Fermentation improves the nutritional value, acceptability and safety of foods. Objective: This study assessed the effect of fermentation on the chemical composition of wheat and maize flours and consumer acceptability of biscuits made from their flours. Methods: Fermentation of wheat and maize: Wheat and maize grains were sorted respectively and were divided into five parts of 200g each. They were labelled as W ,W ,W ,W and W for wheat and M ,M M ,M and M for 0 1 2 3 4 0 1, 2 3 4 maize samples. Each sample was washed with tap water three times. W and M were not fermented while W ,W ,W 0 0 1 2 3 and W and M M ,M and M were soaked in 500mls of water in a bowl and were fermented for 24 hours, 48 hours, 4 1, 2 3 4 72 hours and 96 hours respectively. The flour of each sample was used for baking biscuits. Proximate, mineral and vitamin content of the flour samples and the sensory properties of the biscuits produced from their flour were evaluated using standard analytical methods. One way analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test were used to separate the means among the samples. Result: The highest ash (2.14%), crude fibre (2.03%) and fat (4.24%) values were observed in sample M . Sample 0 M , W and W had the highest moisture (9.67%), protein (11.62%) and carbohydrate (77.89%) values respectively. 4 4 0 Sample M had the highest magnesium (35.62mg), potassium (162.59mg) and sodium (13.79mg) values, M had 0 1 the highest iron (0.76mg) content while the highest calcium (18.77mg) zinc (0.75mg) and phosphorus (132.59mg) values were observed in sample W . The highest vitamin B (0.59mg), vitamin B (0.24mg), vitamin A (18.76μg) 0 1 3 and folic acid (41.64mg) were observed in sample M while the highest vitamin B (0.04mg) value was found in 0 2 both sample M and sample M Sample W had the highest vitamin C (6.36mg) and vitamin B (1.87mg) content. 0 1. 0 6 There was no significant(p>0.05) difference in the acceptability of the biscuit samples. However, the taste, aroma,texture and general acceptability of the biscuits produced from all the samples had appreciable ratings. Conclusion: Fermentation improved the nutritional quality of cereals while biscuits produced from fermented cereals were generally acceptable

Prevalence of Concomitant Onchocerciasis-Malaria Infection in Ahani-Achi Community, Enugu State, Nigeria.

The preponderance of onchocerciasis and malaria infections in similar ecological settings is incidental to co-infection. Therefore, investigations into the mixed-infection pattern of these parasitic diseases are apt in order to maximize interventions and facilitate epidemiological mapping. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Ahani-Achi community, a rain forest mosaic area of Enugu State, Nigeria from March 2012 to April 2014 to ascertain the prevalence of onchocerciasis-malaria co-infection. Four hundred and forty seven (447) persons aged 10 - ≥60 years were recruited into the study through a convenience sampling technique and examined using standard skin snip biopsy and smear microscopy techniques. Three hundred and nine (309) persons tested positive to concurrent O. volvulus and malaria parasitemia, representing a co-infection rate of 69.13%. In both males (53.62%) and females (70.83%), the ≥60 years age group was most infected and the infection rate was significantly (p<0.05) affected by age. On the overall, more females (77.50%) were infected than males (59.45%), although the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05) while fishermen were significantly (p<0.05) more infected (81.08%) than other occupation groups. Although the burden of co-infection reported is worrisome, the study strongly posits that if periodic surveillance and integrated approach to control strategies are adopted and sustained, the morbidity, mortality and economic loss associated with these infections will be forestalled.Keywords: Prevalence, Concomitant, Onchocerciasis, Malaria, Infection

Photostress Recovery Time Among Welders in Owerri Municipal Council, Southeast, Nigeria

Purpose: The photostress recovery time (PSRT) scores of welders were measured based on age, workexperience and welding-method.Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 50 purposively sampled welders, who had clear ocular media, healthy fundi and visual acuities of 6/6 or better in the tested eyes. The pre-bleach distant visual acuity of the right eye was determined with the Snellen’s visual acuity chart, while direct ophthalmoscopy was done to rule out media opacities, retinopathies and maculopathies. The  right eye was dazzled for 10 seconds with the light of a direct ophthalmoscope held at 2cm from the eye. The time required in seconds to read at least, three optotypes on the line directly above the baseline acuity was recorded as the PSRT.Results: The 22-31 years age group recorded the least mean PSRT (16±8.8seconds), followed by the 32-41 age group (19.9±6.8 seconds), while the 42-51 years category had the highest mean PSRT (31.4±10.5seconds). Age associated significantly (p˂0.05) with mean PSRT. Welders within the 1-12 years’ work experience had the least mean PSRT (15.9±8.1seconds) while those within the 25-36 years recorded the highest mean PSRT (33.4±9.3seconds). The observed difference in mean PSRT with years of work experience was statistically significant (p˂0.05). Gas welders had significantly (p˂0.05) higher mean PSRT (26.6±9.9secs) than electric arc welders (16.6±9.2secs).Conclusion: Gas welding, increasing age and work-experience were found to be predictive markers of elevated photostress recovery time (PSRT) among welders. This underscores the need for eye-care practitioners to routinize PSRT tests in the ocular assessment of welders. Keywords: Photostress recovery time (PSRT); electric-arc; gas welding; welders; age

EFFECT OF TRIMETHOPRIM-SULFAMETHOXAZOLE PROPHYLAXIS ON FEACAL CARRIAGE RATES OF RESISTANT ISOLATES OF ESCHERICHIA COLI IN HIV-INFECTED ADULT PATIENTS IN LAGOS.

Background: The daily use of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) prophylaxis reduces morbidity and mortality among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but its impact on increasing antimicrobial resistance rates has been of public health concern, globally. This study investigated the effect of daily TMP-SMX prophylaxis on feacal carriage rates of resistant isolates of Escherichia coli in HIV-infected adult patients in Lagos. Methods: A total of 550 HIV-infected patients with CD4-cell counts of less than 350 cells/mm3 who were eligible for TMP-SMX prophylaxis and attending Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria, were recruited for this study. Stool/rectal swab samples were aseptically collected from the patients and processed using standard methods for culture and sensitivity. Results: There was a baseline Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole resistance rate of 54% which increased to 77.9% in first 3 months, rising to 96.1% by 6 months and all isolates were resistant by the 9th month. There was also evidence of cross-resistance to other antibiotics with significance in association with TMP-SMX resistance (

EFFECT OF TRIMETHOPRIM-SULFAMETHOXAZOLE PROPHYLAXIS ON FAECAL CARRIAGE RATES OF RESISTANT ISOLATES OF ESCHERICHIA COLI IN HIV-INFECTED ADULT PATIENTS IN LAGOS.

Background: The daily use of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) prophylaxis reduces morbidity and mortality among patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) but its impact on increasing antimicrobial resistance rates has been of public concern globally. This study investigated the effect of daily TMP-SMX prophylaxis on faecal carriage rates of resistant isolates of Escherichia coli in HIV-infected adult patients in Lagos. Methods: A total of 550 HIV-infected patients with CD4-cell count of less than 350 cell/mm3 and were eligible for TMP-SMX prophylaxis attending Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria, were recruited. Stool/rectal swab samples were aseptically collected from the patients and processed using standard methods for culture and sensitivity. Results: There was a baseline Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole resistance rate of 54% which increased to 77.9% in first 3 months, rising to 96.1% by 6 months and all isolates were resistant by the 9th month. There was also evidence of crossresistance to other antibiotics with significant association with TMP-SMX resistance (

Antimicrobial Stewardship Implementation in Nigerian Hospitals: Gaps and Challenges

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major clinical challenge globally. It is mainly a consequence of inappropriate prescribing and use of antibiotics. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) ensures that antibiotics are prescribed and used appropriately. This study assessed AMS practice in selected Nigerian hospitals.Methodology: This was a cross sectional survey of 20 Federal, State and Private tertiary hospitals randomly selected from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Using an adapted WHO tool on AMS, data were collected from each hospital as regard the existence of AMS committee, Accountability and Responsibility, AMS actions, Education and Training, Monitoring and Evaluation, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice, facilities to support AMS, and challenges to AMS implementation. Gaps and challenges to the implementation of the AMS among the hospitals were identified.Results: Only 6 (30%) of the 20 hospitals had AMS committees while 2 (10%) had any evidence of leadership commitment to AMS. All the hospitals had laboratory facilities to support culture and sensitivity testing. There were no regular AMS-related education or training, monitoring, evaluation or reporting activities in the hospitals, except in 7 (25%) that had participated in the global point prevalence survey (Global-PPS) of antimicrobial use and resistance being hosted by the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Challenges impeding AMS activities included lack of human and financial resources, prescribers’ opposition, lack of awareness and absence of AMS committees. Most of the gaps and challenges bordered on seeming lack of knowledge and inadequate communication among prescribers and other stakeholders.Conclusion: There is need for intense education and training activities for prescribers and other stakeholders, including but not limited to hospital administrators. Keywords: Survey, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Antimicrobial Resistance; Nigeria   French title: Mise en œuvre de la gestion des antimicrobiens dans les hôpitaux Nigérians: lacunes et défis Contexte: La résistance aux antimicrobiens (RAM) est un défi clinique majeur à l'échelle mondiale. C'estprincipalement une conséquence d'une prescription et d'une utilisation inappropriées d'antibiotiques. La gestion des antimicrobiens (AMS) garantit que les antibiotiques sont prescrits et utilisés de manière appropriée. Cette étude a évalué la pratique de l'AMS dans certains hôpitaux Nigérians. Méthodologie: Il s'agissait d'une enquête transversale de 20 hôpitaux tertiaires fédéraux, d'État et privéssélectionnés au hasard dans les six zones géopolitiques du Nigéria. À l'aide d'un outil OMS adapté sur l'AMS, des données ont été collectées auprès de chaque hôpital en ce qui concerne l'existence d'un comité AMS, la responsabilité et la responsabilité, les actions AMS, l'éducation et la formation, le suivi et l'évaluation, la  pratique de prévention et de contrôle des infections (IPC), les installations pour soutenir l'AMS. et les défis de la mise en œuvre de l'AMS. Les lacunes et les défis liés à la mise en œuvre de l'AMS parmi les hôpitaux ont été identifiés. Résultats: Seuls 6 (30%) des 20 hôpitaux avaient des comités AMS tandis que 2 (10%) avaient des preuves d'engagement du leadership envers l'AMS. Tous les hôpitaux disposaient d'installations de laboratoire pour soutenir la culture et les tests de sensibilité. Il n'y avait pas d'activités régulières d'éducation ou de formation, de suivi, d'évaluation ou de rapportage liées à la MGS dans les hôpitaux, sauf dans 7 (25%) qui avaient participé à l'enquête mondiale sur la prévalence ponctuelle (Global-PPS) de l'utilisation et de la résistance aux  antimicrobiens organisée par l'Université d'Anvers, Belgique. Les défis entravant les activités de l'AMS  comprenaient le manque de ressources humaines et financières, l'opposition des prescripteurs, le manque de sensibilisation et l'absence de comités AMS. La plupart des lacunes et des défis se limitaient à un manque apparent de connaissances et à une communication inadéquate entre les prescripteurs et les autres intervenants.Conclusion: Des activités d'éducation et de formation intensives sont nécessaires pour les prescripteurs et autres intervenants, y compris, mais sans s'y limiter, les administrateurs d'hôpitaux. Mots clés: enquête, gestion des antimicrobiens, résistance aux antimicrobiens; Nigeria   &nbsp

Corrigendum: Antimicrobial Stewardship Implementation in Nigerian Hospitals: Gaps and Challenges

No Abstract

Prevalence of Cryptosporidum Species in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Presenting with Diarrhoea in Lagos

Cryptosporidium is said to cause diarrhea in HIV/AIDS patients. The study was done to determine the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in Lagos. Stool samples were collected from 193 HIV positive and 200 HIV negative (control) patients presenting with diarrhea at LUTH. The patient or a close relative filled a questionnaire covering demographic and other relevant information. Fresh stool specimens were processed using direct stool smear and formol-ether concentration methods. Permanently stained slides were prepared by Kinyoun acid-fast stain. Cryptosporidium was found in 36 (18.7%) of HIV positive patients and none in the control. More males than females were affected, 26 (24.8%) of 105 males as against 10 (11.8%) of 87 females. Isolation rates were highest in patients with CD4+ lymphocyte counts above 351 cells/ml. Cryptosporidium is a relatively common cause of diarrhea in HIV/AIDS patients. Keywords: Cryptosporidium, Prevalence, HIV/AIDSNQJHM Vol. 15 (3) 2005: pp. 119-12

Detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamases in gram negative bacilli from clinical specimens in a teaching hospital in South eastern Nigeria

Antimicrobial drug resistance seen among many gram-negative bacteria, especially those expressing the extended-spectrum β- lactamase (ESBL) enzymes that hydrolyze the expanded- spectrum cephalosporins has been on the increase. This has compromised treatment options and thus a threat to the containment of bacterial infections. To determine the existence of the extended-spectrum β-lactamase enzymes in Nnewi, 250 clinical isolates of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas species from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi were identified by conventional methods. These include Klebsiella species (96), E. coli (90), Pseudomonas species (37), Enterobacter species (13), Proteus species (6), Citrobacter species (5) and Salmonella species (3). Antimicrobial drug susceptibility testing was carried out on all the isolates by the disc diffusion method. Extended Spectrum Beta- lactamases were detected by the double disc synergy test. High level of antimicrobial resistance was noted in test organisms against some of the antimicrobial drugs: Ampicillin + Cloxacillin (93.2%), Tetracycline (90.8%), Streptomycin (82.4%), and Nalidixic acid (62%), and low level of resistance was observed against Ofloxacin (26.4%), Cefotaxime (28.8%) and Nitrofurantoin (28.8%). One hundred and forty four isolates (57.6%) were suspected ESBL-producers judged by their resistance to any of the third generation cephalosporins used but 40 (16%) actually produced the extended spectrum beta- lactamase enzymes. This shows the existence of Extended Spectrum Beta- Lactamase producing gram negative organisms in Nnewi. Considering the treatment difficulties, as well as the high cost of treatment associated with these organisms, concerted efforts are needed to contain their spread

Bacteria of public health concern associated with tap water samples in Imo State, Nigeria

Tap water samples from Imo State, Nigeria were tested for bacterial quality, especially those of public health concern. Membrane filter technique was adopted to determine the heterotrophic, coliform and vibrio counts of the samples. Total heterotrophic, coliform and vibrio counts ranged from 51-230, 30–203 and 5-18 cfu/100ml respectively. Identification tests revealed the presence of Escherichia coli, Chromobacterium spp, Bacillus spp,  Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio spp, Micrococcus spp and  Klebsiella spp. The overall percentage occurrence of Bacillus spp, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were in 90.0, 89.7 and 71.0% respectively. Vibrio spp, Klebsiella spp, Micrococcus spp and Vibrio cholera on the other hand occurred in 52.7, 45.0, 51.2 and 37.0% of the tap water samples respectively. Chromobacterium spp had the least percentage occurrence of 35.0%. The study highlighted the need to improve the treatment process of tap water in the state in order to avert public health problems that may emanate from poor quality tap water.Keywords: Tap water, bacteria, water pollution, waterborne infections, Nigeri