A critical review on HIV/AIDS and wound care

Wound infections in AIDS patients increase discomfort; prolong hospital stay; render an additional burden upon an already debilitated patient and weaken the immune system further. Treatment must relate to the aetiology of the wound and take into account the patients underlying health problems. The treatment of wounds in HIV-AIDS patients is not different from the standard treatment. There are wound -related criteria for selecting the appropriate types of dressing. The best dressing for postoperative wound healing by secondary intention is unknown. Continuing wound evaluation and the appraisal of what dressing is useful for the type of wound and stage of healing is the basis of optimum wound care Optimum wound care; emotional support; health education will enhance both the emotional and physical wellbeing of the HIV-AIDS patient

Epidemiological studies on proteeae isolates from clinical specimens in the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon

The tribe Proteeae is a group of bacteria within the family Enterobacteriaceae and is responsible for most cases of nosocomial infections in hospital settings. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of members of Proteeae from clinical specimens in Laquintinie hospital in Douala. Specimens were collected from patients and screened for Proteeae using standard microbiological and biochemical methods (API 20 Enterobacteriaceae gallery). Of the 3414 clinical specimens made of 2712 urine; 264 blood; 243 CSF and 195 wounds and burns; 1136 (33.3) yielded a positive bacterial growth; of which 230 (20.2) were Gram positive and 906 (79.7) were Gram negative. 164 (14.4) isolates were identified as members of Proteeae of which 110 (67.1) were from urine; 37( 22.6) from wounds and burns; 10(6.1) from blood and 7( 4.3) from CSF. Speciation of the Proteeae isolates showed that 111 (67.7) were Proteus mirabilis; 21(12.8) Proteus vulgaris; 11 (6.7) Providencia alcalifaciens; 6 (3.6) Providencia stuartii; 4 (2.4) Morganella morganii and 5 (3.0) Proteus penneri and Providencia rettgeri. There was a significant difference between the type of clinical specimens and the age of patients (X2 = 52.623 p0.05). Most Proteeae isolates where susceptible to imipemen; ceftazidine; chloramphenicol; gentamicin; nalidixic acid; ofloxacin and amikacin. These findings have significant clinical and epidemiological implications

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection among Pregnant Women in Cameroon

Toxoplasmosis is caused by an intracellular protozoan; Toxoplasma gondii; which has a wide geographical distribution. The congenital form results in a gestational form that can present a temporary parasiteamia that will infect the fetus. For this reason early diagnosis in pregnancy is highly desirable; allowing prompt intervention in cases of infection. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among pregnant women attending the Douala General Hospital. The study was carried out between March and July 2009; whereby 110 pregnant women were tested for IgG and IgM antibodies and information about eating habits and hygienic conditions was collected using a questionnaire. These women's ages ranged from 20-44 years old with an average of 29.9 years; the overall IgG and IgM seroprevalence was 70and 2.73respectively. Seroprevalence was significantly high amongst women who ate raw vegetables (76.39; P0.05) and there was a significant trend towards a higher seroprevalence in women who did not have a good source of water (75.58; P0.05). This research showed that consumption raw vegetables and poor quality drinking water are two risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection amongst pregnant women attending the Douala General Hospital in Cameroon