Microbial Profile of Wound Infections in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: This study set out to investigate the aerobic and facultative anaerobic microbial profile of wound infections in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Methods: A total of 202 wound swabs samples were randomly collected from both in and out-patients presenting at the facility. One hundred and thirteen(55.9) of the samples were collected from males while 89(44.6) were from females. The age of the patients ranged from 32 days to 80 years. Samples were processed following standard operating protocols in the microbiology laboratory. Results: Of the 202 samples examined; 164(81.2) had microbial isolates while 38(18.8) yielded no growth. Among the 164 samples with positive microbial growth; 124(75.6) had single isolates while 40(24.4) had polymicrobial growth. Of the 113 males studied; 90(79.7) had microbial growth while 23(20.4) had no growth. Similarly; of the 89 females studied; 74(83.2) had microbial growth while 15(16.9) had no growth. Furthermore; the total microbial isolates from the study was 206. Gram-negative bacterial organisms accounted for 124(60.1) as against 82(39.9) from the Gram-positive's (p

Live Adult Loa-Loa in the Anterior Chamber of a Nigerian female

Background: Live adult loa loa is not usually found in the anterior chamber of the eye. Where this occurs the diagnosis may be missed because of its rare occurrence. As such there has to be a high index of suspicion to be able to make a diagnosis of ocular loaiasis. Aim: To report a case of live adult loa-loa in the anterior chamber of the left eye of a 23-year-old Nigerian female and discuss the management and visual outcome following treatment. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology; University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital; Port Harcourt. Case Report: A case report of live adult loa-loa in the anterior chamber of a 23-year-old Nigerian female is here presented. In May 2006; a 23 year old female presented at the Eye Clinic with a 3-week history of pain; itching and redness and a one-week history of poor vision in the left eye. Her presenting visual acuity was hand movement on the left and 6/5 on the right. She had a steamy cornea with a sluggishly reactive pupil and an elevated left intra-ocular pressure. An initial diagnosis of pan-uveitis with secondary glaucoma was made and patient commenced on treatment. Patient came back two days and a live adult loa-loa was extracted from the anterior chamber of the left eye. Patient's vision however remained at Counting Fingers despite aggressive treatment with topical and systemic steroids; and systemic diethylcabamazine. Conclusion: Ophthalmologist working in this environment should entertain loaiasis as a differential diagnosis of uveitis since it could masquerade as one and also know the current mode of treatment

Cutaneous Larva Migrans in an Eleven-Year-Old Boy in an Urban Setting in Rivers State

Background: Cutaneous larva migrans is a tropical infectious disease that is usually acquired from contact with soil contaminated with larvae of nonhuman hookworms or Strongy-loides usually from faeces of dogs and cats. Aim: To report a case of a boy who presented with pruritic migratory serpiginous skin lesions. Case report: An eleven year old boy with a linear skin lesion was initially misdiagnosed as having an allergy at a private clinic. There was a history of playing regular football in a field contaminated by dog's urine and faeces. Later it was highly suspected that he had cutaneous larva migrans. He responded to treatment with albendazole. Conclusion: Physicians should be aware that such infestations are endemic in Nigeria and should be familiar with the typical features