Profiles of sugar fermenting bacteria of the oral cavity among children with dental caries attending stomatology services at Ruhengeri referral hospital in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda

Background: Dental caries remains a public health threat of concern among children. About 2.3 billion people are affected by dental caries, of which 530 million are children globally. Objective: This study was carried out to identify sugar fermenting bacteria in the oral cavity and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern, assess the association with sugar fermenter bacteria and dental caries and evaluate dental caries outcomes among children. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between October 2021 and February 2022 at Ruhengeri Referral Hospital. About 136 oral swab samples were collected from children with and without dental caries at 1:1 ratio. The samples were put in Stuart sterile container and transported to INES-clinical microbiology laboratory for microbial identification. Logistic regression analysis of demographic characteristics was performed to study the relationship between demographic variables and dental caries. Chi-square test was performed for the association between variables. Results: About 67.6% were male, while children of age 7­9 years (64.7%) dominated the age groups. Lactobacilli spp (15.29%) and Streptococcus mutans (12.94%) were the most predominant microorganisms observed in the oral cavity among children with dental caries. The S. mutans (x2 = 27.03, P < 0.00001, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.2901­0.5785), S. aureus (x2 = 34.59, P < 0.00001, 95% CI = 0.3541­0.6292), Enterobacter aerogenes (x2 = 13.5, P = 0.000239, 95% CI = 0.151­0.4622), Serratia marcescens (x2 = 11.64, P = 0.00645, 95% CI = 0.1275­0.4418) and Klebsiella pneumonia (x2 = 13.51, P = 0.000237, 95% CI = 0.1511­0.4623) were significantly associated with dental caries. Teeth loss (x2 = 51.04, P < 0.00001, 95% CI = 0.4757­0.7205), teeth pain (x2 = 5.05, P = 0.0246, 95% CI = 0.0249­0.33499), and infection (x2 = 4.73, P = 0.02964, 95% CI = 0.0186­0.3441) were dental outcomes associated with tooth decay. Ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, and amoxicillin were the most sensitive antibiotics, while vancomycin and chloramphenicol were the most resistant. Conclusion: Sugar consumption favours the growth of sugar fermenter bacteria that cause dental caries among children. Dental caries is associated with adverse oral health outcomes among children. Oral health education is recommended for children. Parents are advised to reduce the consumption of sugary food for their children for oral health safety.

Bitter kola and kola nut use and their effect on treatment outcome on People Living with HIV at a Military Hospital in Benue state Nigeria: Bitter kola (Garcinia) and Cola nut (Cola nitida among PLWHIV

Introduction Bitter Kola (Garcinia Kola) and kola nut, contains substances attributed to numerous effects on humans including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic properties, anti-infective and caffeinism. This study explores Bitter kola and kola nut use and its impact on treatment outcome on People Living with HIV (PLWHIV). Methods: The study was conducted at a Military Hospital in Nigeria. An analytical cross-sectional study was done using questionnaire among 700 HIV-positive clients selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected by researcher and three trained assistants. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used for identifying associations and predictors, respectively. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Findings show that 260 (63.6%) and 179 (25.6%) have ever and currently used Bitter kola/Kola nut, respectively. Also, 14 (7.8%) used Bitter kola/Kola nut alone while 165 (92.2%) used it in addition to other substances, especially with alcohol 123 (68.7%). Bitter kola use was associated with age (p = 0.037), gender (p < 0.001), occupation (p = 0.001), and number of children (p < 0.011). Identified predictors were being a female (AOR 0.79; 95% CI 0.08-0.92) and earning <18,000 Naira (AOR 2.91; 95% CI 2.03-21.54). There was no association of Bitter kola/kola nut use with CD4 count and viral load suppression. Conclusion: Though Kola nut and Bitter kola use was high as in the general population we have not found any effect on treatment outcome among PLWHIV. This calls for more research to ascertain if there are other possible beneficial effects on PLWHIV.

Registration of antimicrobials, Kenya, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania, 2018

Objective. To determine the proportion of essential and non-essential antimicrobial medicines that are registered on the drug registers in Kenya, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania.Methods We categorized all antimicrobials on the national drug registers and essential medicines lists of the three countries using the British National Formulary. We also categorized all antibiotics according to the World Health Organization access, watch and reserve (AWaRe) classification. We calculated the proportions of essential and non-essential antimicrobials that were registered by antimicrobial class and AWaRe classification. Findings In 2018, Kenya had 2105 registered antimicrobials, Uganda had 1563 and the United Republic of Tanzania had 1327. Of these medicines, 1353 (64.3%) were non-essential in Kenya, 798 (51.1%) in Uganda and 706 (53.2%) in the United Republic of Tanzania. Kenya had 160 antimicrobials on its national essential medicines lists, Uganda had 187 and the United Republic of Tanzania had 182; of these, 33 (20.7%), 50 (26.7%) and 52 (28.6%) were not registered, respectively. High proportions of antimycobacterial and antiparasitic medicines were not registered. Of essential access antibiotics, 14.3% (4/28) were not registered in Kenya, 8.6% (3/35) in Uganda and 20.5% (8/39) in the United Republic of Tanzania, nor were 25.0% (3/12) of watch antibiotics in Kenya, 14.3% (2/14) in Uganda and 19.1% (4/21) in the United Republic of Tanzania. Conclusion Suboptimal registration of essential antimicrobials and over-registration of non-essential antimicrobials may encourage inappropriate use, especially since non-essential antimicrobials do not appear on national treatment guidelines. Countries should prioritize registration of the antimicrobial medicines on their essential medicines lists

Antimicrobial prescription pattern in a tertiary hospital

Background: Antimicrobials are nonreplaceable in the treatment of bacterial infections and thus should be used judiciously. In Nigeria, there is currently no restriction on the prescription and sale of antimicrobials. This study was conducted to assess the antimicrobial prescription pattern of physicians at a tertiary hospital in Northwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A point prevalence survey was carried out among all inpatients at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in June 2015. Those receiving an antimicrobial agent during the survey period were included in the study while patients admitted on the day of the survey were excluded from the study. Data were obtained using a structured interviewer­administered questionnaire and abstraction from patient records. Information obtained included demographic data, antimicrobial agents prescribed, indication for treatment, laboratory data, and stop/review dates of prescriptions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Twenty­three wards with a total number of 318 inpatients were enlisted. Of these, 210 (66%) patients were on treatment with antimicrobials. Male: female ratio of patients on antimicrobials was 1.2:1, and age of respondents ranged from 1 day (0.0027 years) to 75 years. The overall antimicrobial prevalence rate was 210 (66%) with surgical prophylaxis 100 (47.6%) as the most common indication. Overall, 332 antimicrobials were prescribed with cephalosporins as the most common class prescribed 96 (28.9%). Majority of the prescriptions (328, 98.8%) were based on empirical treatment, 288 (86.7%) were open prescriptions, and only 4 (1.2%) were according to treatment guidelines. Conclusion: The high prevalence of antimicrobial use highlights the need for an antimicrobial stewardship program in this facility

Anti-Salmonella activity of metabolites from African soldier termites, Macrotermes bellicosus

Background: The global emergence and rapid dissemination of multidrug resistant Salmonella strains necessitate research to find new antimicrobials that will effectively be used against these pathogens. In the present study, anti-Salmonella activity of metabolites from African Soldier Termites, Macrotermes bellicosus was demonstrated and subsequently compared with a potent antibiotic, ciprofloxacin. Materials and Methods: N-hexane, ethylacetate, methanol and aqueous extracts of metabolites from the M. bellicosus were assayed for anti-Salmonella activity using the agar dilution method in the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The inhibitory activities of the extracts were compared to ciprofloxacin (256µg/ml). Also, the bioactive components of the extracts were determined using standard techniques. Results: At 4000 µg/ml, N-hexane extract inhibited the growth of Salmonella Typhi, S. Paratyphi A, B and C while ethylacetate extract was able to inhibit S. Paratyphi A and C. Methanolic and aqueous extracts at the same concentration were unable to inhibit these strains of Salmonella. Furthermore, our findings revealed that the MIC of ethylacetate extract was 2000µg/ml for S. Paratyphi A and B, 250µg/ml for S. Typhi, and 125µg/ml for S. Paratyphi C. Also, the MIC of hexane extract was 4000µg/ml for S. Paratyphi B, 2000 µg/ml for S. Paratyphi C, 500µg/ml for S. Typhi and 250µg/ml for S. Paratyphi A respectively. The screening of bioactive components revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides and alkaloids. Conclusion: Our results provide evidence of anti-Salmonella action of metabolites from African Soldier Termites, M. bellicosus. N-hexane and ethylacetate extracts of M. bellicosus may be explored as novel antimicrobials for the treatment of typhoid and paratyphoid fevers thereby reducing the pressure exerted on available antibiotics

Characterization of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from gills and gastro-intestinal tracts of catfish (Clarias gariepinus), and water samples from Jabi Lake, Abuja, Nigeria

Background: The isolation of antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus in freshwater fish poses a threat to public health because of the risk of human infections from consumption of such contaminated fish. Studies assessing antibiotic resistance of bacteria from body parts of fish and freshwater in Nigeria are sparse in the literature. This study therefore characterized S. aureus isolates from gills and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of catfish (Clarias gariepinus), and water samples from Jabi Lake, Nigeria Methodology: Over a period of three months (April to June 2018), gills and GIT samples of 30 fish, and water samples randomly collected from 6 sites of the Lake, were cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) for the isolation of S. aureus. Standard biochemical tests were used for bacteria identification, and antibiogram of the isolates was determined by the disc diffusion method. Results: The bacterial colony count in the gills (54.6±1.41 x 105 CFU/ml) and GIT (54.3±1.31 x 105 CFU/ml) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the count from water sample (27.7±2.85 x 105 CFU/mL). S. aureus was isolated from 53% (16 of 30) of the gills, 57% (17 of 30) of the GIT, and 33% (2 of 6) of the water samples (p<0.05). Ninety four point one percent of S. aureus recovered from gills were resistant to ampicillin while 53.3% from the GIT were resistant to levofloxacin. S. aureus from water samples were resistant (100%) to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, gentamycin, amoxicillin, rifampicin, erythromycin, ampicillin and levofloxacin, and 50% were resistant to streptomycin and chloramphenicol. Conclusion: The presence of antibiotic resistant S. aureus in this study may be the result of selective antimicrobial pressure from anthropogenic activities as a result of abuse and overuse of antimicrobials leading to residual antibiotics in the aquatic environment

Optimization of culture conditions for antimetabolite production by a rare tea garden actinobacterial isolate, Amycolatopsis sp. ST-28

Background:Microbial metabolites are of great importance to the pharmaceutical industries. There is an urgent need of novel microbial metabolites in the present scenario to combat antimicrobial resistance. Selection and screening of potent microbial strains for production of antimicrobial metabolites as well as optimization of their culture conditions is of utmost importance in drug discovery. Therefore, the study was carried out to evaluate the effect of nutritional and cultural conditions on the production of bioactive metabolites by a rare tea garden actinobacterial strain Amycolatopsis sp. ST-28. Materials and methods:Submerged fermentation of the actinobacterial isolate was carried out on different culture media and different culture conditions such as carbon and nitrogen sources, inoculum volume, pH, fermentation period and agitation speed. The culture filtrate was assayed againstStaphylococcus aureus.Agar well diffusion method was employed to determine the maximum diameter of zone of inhibition (mm). The dried mycelial weight (mg) in a fixed volume of culture media was used for the determination of the total biomass produced.Results:Maximum bioactive metabolite and biomass production was observed when submerged fermentation was carried out with mannose and peptone respectively as a sole carbon and nitrogen source. Maintaining other environmental parameters viz. inoculum 11% (v/v), pH of 6.5, temperature of 32ºC and incubation period of 11 days at 150 rpm were found optimum for maximum antimicrobial activity. Conclusion:This study demonstrated optimized cultural conditions for improved production of antimicrobial compound by Amycolatopsis sp. ST-28

Bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns from external ocular infections and associated risk factors at the all Africa leprosy rehabilitation and training center (alert), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Bacteria are major causative agents that frequently cause infections of the eyes and loss of vision. Resistance of bacteria isolated from ocular infections to antimicrobial agents is a global concern. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of different bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in patients with external ocular infections and to determine any associated risk factors. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from May to August 2015 in ALERT outpatient and inpatient department of Eye Clinic. A total of 288 samples were collected which were processed for bacterial culture according to standard procedures. Presumptive isolates were further identified by a series of biochemical tests. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates were determined by the disk diffusion method. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results: A total of 288 patients were enrolled. The overall prevalence of bacterial pathogens among external ocular samples was 171/288 (59.4%). Gram-positive bacteria were the most common isolates accounting for 70.2% (120/171). Staphylococcus aureus was present in 36.8% of the cases (63/171). Most (91.6%) of the bacteria isolated showed high resistance to Penicillin (120/131) and Tetracycline (70.4%; 119/169). Gentamicin was the most effective antibiotic against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (94%, 161/171). The overall prevalence of multiple drug resistance was 159/171 (93%): gram-positive 117/120 (97.5%) and gram-negative 42/51 (82%). Most variables did not have a statistically significant association with presence of ocular infection; only repeated infections were observed to have significant association. Conclusion: The prevalence of bacterial pathogens among external ocular samples was high. Most of the isolates were drug resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin were the most effective antim-icrobial agents for both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria

The accuracy of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase detection in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in South African laboratories using the Vitek 2 Gram-negative susceptibility card AST-N255

Background: Phenotypic detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) is based on the inhibition of ESBL enzymes by ß-lactamase inhibitors and on the comparison of cephalosporin activity with or without a ß-lactamase inhibitor. Many South African diagnostic laboratories rely on the Vitek 2 for automated susceptibility testing and for ESBL detection. However, the Gram-negative susceptibility card currently used locally (AST-N255) has been modified and its accuracy for ESBL detection is not known.Methods: We randomly selected 50 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli from a collection of clinical bloodstream isolates from Groote Schuur Hospital from 2015 to 2016, including ESBL-producing and non-ESBL-producing strains. We used standardised phenotypic (disc diffusion and broth microdilution) and genotypic (conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for blaCTX-M, blaSHV and blaTEM) methods for detection of ESBLs. We compared ESBL detection by Vitek 2 to a composite reference standard comprising ESBL detection either by both phenotypic methods or by one phenotypic method together with genotypic detection.Results: The sensitivity of Vitek 2 system for detection of ESBLs was 33/36 or 92% (78% ­ 97%) for E. coli, and 40/40 or 100% (91% ­ 100%) for K.pneumoniae, whilst specificity was 10/10 or 100% (72% ­ 100%) and 9/10 or 90% (60% ­ 98%), respectively. This is comparable with previous studies.Conclusion: Using a composite reference standard of the phenotypic and genotypic methods employed in this study, no Vitek-categorised ESBL E. coli or K. pneumoniae was found to be a non-ESBL with the exception of possible misinterpretation with K. pneumoniae SHV-hyper-producing isolates

Antibiotics Consumption in the Eastern Region of Libya 2012-2013

Background: Drug utilization studies conducted in Libya during the period 1991-2013, have pointed out that there is an irrational use of antibiotics as a common practice that costs the health system more than 7.7 million Libyan Dinars / year. The aim of this study is to assess the trend of antimicrobial consumption in the Eastern region of Libya during 2012 ­ 2013.Methods: Antimicrobial consumption data from the years 2012 and 2013 were obtained mainly from Benghazi office, Medical Supply Organization (MSO; the only official drug-importing body in Libya). This study is concerned with antibiotics imported only to the Eastern region of Libya, population of which representing approximately 35% of total Libyan population. The WHO, Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical (ATC) classification and the Defined Daily Dose (DDD) methodology were used to calculate antibiotic consumption. The total antimicrobial consumption data were calculated as DDD/1000 inhabitants/day.Results: Total utilization of antibiotics decreased dramatically from 15.47 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2012 to 4.30 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2013 which in turn shows a significant decline compared to 41.72 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day during the period 1991-1993. Consumption of penicillins decreased from 19.902 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day during 1991-1993 to 1.896 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day during 2012-2013 with pattern of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid consumption which equals 3 times ampicillin consumption and is the highest compared to all penicillins. This was accompanied by a prominent increase in consumption of amphenicols and fusidic acid during 2012-2013, noting that fusidic acid consumption was the highest among all antibiotics. Conclusion: MSO since 2011 (post 17th February, 2011 revolution) lost its control over importing medicine due to receiving many drugs, as donations from different international sources without acceptable levels of coordination. This has been reflected on drug purchasing policy of MSO during 2013, which failed to regain the previously accepted level of DDD/1000 inhabitants/day for antibiotics consumption. The decreased consumption of penicillins together with increased consumption of amphenicols and fusidic acid complies with the pattern of antibiotic resistance reported previously in Libya. Similar studies should be conducted to evaluate national drug consumption under normal conditions, to be compared with regional and international data

Phytochemical composition and comparative evaluation of antimicrobial activities of the juice extract of citrus aurantifolia and its silver nanoparticles

Background: Citrus aurantifolia juice has been useful for the treatment of various infections and green synthesis of silver nanoparticle using lime juice may offer added advantages.Objective: The phytochemical composition and comparative evaluation of antimicrobial activities of the crude juice extract and biosynthesized Silver nanoparticle (SNPs) from Citrus aurantifolia juice was investigated.Materials and methods: Phytochemical, antimicrobial evaluation (agar well diffusion) and biosynthesis of SNPs was done using Crude extract of Citrus aurantifolia. The SNPs were characterized by colour changes, spectroscopy and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy.Results: The juice extract contained bioactive compounds such as flavonoids (710mg/100g), tannins (525mg/100g), phenols (65mg/100g) and terpenes (56mg/100g). Changes in colour, UV-Vis Spectroscopy at 300-550nm ranges and FTIR revealed the functional groups present in the biosynthesized SNPs. The crude extract and SNPs exhibited varying antimicrobial activities against some selected pathogens including Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 10031, Bacillus sp, Actinobacillus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The crude extract has more antibacterial potential against the tested pathogens than the biosynthesized SNPs. The crude extract also had higher antimicrobial activities against Streptococcus pyogenes which were resistant to ciprofloxacin. The result revealed that the crude extract was more effective than the SNPs produced and the Minimum Inhibitory concentration (MIC) also showed increasing activities with an increase in the concentration of the juice extract and SNPs.Conclusion: Crude extract of Citrus aurantifolia contain bioactive compound with potent antimicrobial potential and the extract was more effective than the biosythesized SNPs

Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of oral microbial isolates among pregnant women in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, Nigeria

ABSTRACT: Oral pathogenic micro-organisms have been implicated in disease causation elsewhere in the human body especially in pregnancy where they negatively influence birth outcomes. Oral hygiene measures and treatment with appropriate antibiotics prevent this negative effect. Both periodontal diseases and negative pregnancy outcomes are common among pregnant women in Nigeria; however, oral health care is not presently an integral part of antenatal care in our environment. We investigated the types of bacteria present in the mouth of some pregnant women in Ibadan, as well as the sensitivity pattern of these organisms to commonly available antibiotics. Pre-tested questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic information as well as oral hygiene and pregnancy history from the participants. This was followed by an intra-oral examination during which an oral swab was taken using a sterile microscopic culturing swab stick and inoculated immediately into Thioglycollate broth. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed on confirmed pathogens using Kirby-Bauer method. Data was entered into a computer spread sheet. Frequency tables were generated and measures of central tendency calculated. Mean age was 25.28± 4.9 years old. The most prominent oral isolates were Kliebsiella species and Escherichia coli and these were higher in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy respectively. Anti-microbial susceptibility of isolates was highest for Ceftazidime: 263(99.6%), Rocephin: 247(98.9%), Resistance was highest to Co-trimoxazole 108(44.8%) and Tetracycline: 108(43.7%). The high prevalence of pathogenic, non-commensal isolates in the oral cavity of these women is cause for great concern. General personal as well as oral hygiene measures are proposed for the reduction and elimination of these pathogens

Bioactive constituents and antibacterial screening of two nigerian plant extracts against selected clinical bacteria

Background: The growing desires to combat antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria necessitate the need to search for new antimicrobials agents from other sources such as plants.Objectives: The present study investigated the antibacterial activities and bioactive components of Nymphaea lotus and Spondias mombin against selected clinical bacteria.Material and Methods: Extracts of N. lotus and S. mombin were prepared by 72 hours maceration in 70% methanol. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter freundi and, Klebsiella oxytoca against the two extracts was carried out by disk diffusion method while minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) was by agar-well dilution and broth dilution method, respectively. The bioactive compounds of the plants were identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis.Results: Extracts of N. lotus showed better antimicrobial activities than S. mombin against all the clinical bacterial isolates with an MIC range of 3.13 ­ >12.5mg/mL compared to S. mombin with MIC range of 6.25 ­ >12.5mg/mL. The GC-MS results revealed the presence of 21 and 25 compounds for N. lotus and S. mombin respectively. Benzoic acid derivatives were in abundance in both plants with approximately 71.5% and 82.1% in N. lotus and S. mombin respectively.Conclusions: The findings from this study provided further evidence on their ethno-botanical claims and additional information on the potentials of the studied plants as effective medicinal plants with antimicrobial activity against clinical bacteria. This highlights the need for continuous exploration of medicinal plants for novel compounds with better antimicrobial property as option for the treatment of resistant bacterial infection

Knowledge and Perception of Microbicides among Healthcare Providers in Calabar; Nigeria

"Background: With the worldwide spread of HIV/AIDS; the absence of a known cure and the challenges associated with existing prevention methodologies; there is need for new prevention technologies. The successful uptake of healthcare products and services depend; to a large extent; on healthcare providers' knowledge; perception and attitude regarding them. Objectives: To determine the knowledge and perception of healthcare providers regarding microbicides. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was administered on 400 randomly selected health care providers in Calabar; Cross River State of Nigeria. Data obtained from the 350 returned questionnaire were analyzed using EPI -Info software version 3.5.1 Results: One hundred and sixty-four (46.9) respondents were medical doctors while 157 (44.9) were nurses; 7 (2) were Pharmacists and 22 (6.2) belonged to ""other"" categories. Thirty- two percent knew the advantages of microbicides over condoms. Sixty-eight percent indicated that microbicides would benefit only women while to 27; it would benefit both men and women. Seventy-five percent of respondents would be willing to act as community advocates for microbicides while 21 would not be willing and 4 were not decided. There was a statistically significant association between professional group and willingness to act as community advocates for microbicides. Medical doctors were more likely to act as advocates than other professional groups (p0.05). Female respondents were more likely to have correct knowledge regarding microbicides than males (p0.05) Conclusion: There are gaps in knowledge regarding microbicides among the health care providers. Capacity building would be successful since the majority are willing to act as community advocates."

Willingness to participate in future HIV prevention trials in Beira, Mozambique

In preparation for trials of new HIV prevention methods; willingness to participate (WTP) was assessed in Beira; Mozambique. A totla of 1 019 women participating in an HIV incidence study; and 97 men participating in a separate WTP survey; were interviewed. When comparing the answers to questions that were identical in the two studies; WTP was higher among women than men for all prevention methods. Among women; WTP was highest for trials evaluating daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP; 84.4 reporting very likely to participate); followed by vaccination (77.8); daily vaginal gel use (67.7); coital vaginal gel use (67.1) and monthly vaginal ring use (47.7). Among men; WTP was highest for trials evaluating vaccination (57.6); followed by daily vaginal gel use for female sexual partners (52.5); daily oral PrEP (49.5); coital vaginal gel use for female sexual partners (46.4) and monthly vaginal ring use for female sexual partners (39.4). Among men; the most important motivators for trial participation were social benefits; whereas personal risks (most notably receiving injections and/or blood draws) were deterrents; this was not assessed in women. Other important lessons learnt are that male circumcision and antiretroviral drugs were not generally recognised as ways to prevent HIV; that having to use hormonal contraception during trial participation will likely reduce WTP; and that evening clinics are not likely to be popular. The barriers reported in this and other studies may be challenging but are not impossible to overcome

Aerobic bacterial isolates from post-surgical wound and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern: a hospital based cross-sectional study

Post-operative wound infections as well as emergence and spread of drug resistant strains have been found to pose a major problem in the field of surgery. This study investigated common aerobic bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in patients with clinical diagnosis of post-surgical wound infections. Microbial analysis was carried on pus samples obtained from 194 patients with clinical diagnosis of postsurgical wound infections at Hawassa Teaching and Referral Hospital; from November 2010 to March 2011. The isolation rate of aerobic bacteria was 138 (71.1). S. aureus was the most frequent isolates (37.3); followed by E. coli (25.4); Klebsiella species (13.6); Proteus (10.2); P. aeruginosa (10.2) and coagulase negative Staphylococci (3.4). Single and multiple antimicrobial resistances were observed in 6.8 and 93.2 of the isolates; respectively. No bacterial isolates was found to be sensitive to all antibiotics tested. The high isolation rate of aerobic bacteria and their increased resistance to the commonly used antibiotics warrants the need to practise aseptic procedures and rational use of antimicrobial agents leading to minimize infection rate and emergence of drug resistance

Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Campylobacter Species

Thermophilic Campylobacter spp. are important causative agents of diarrhoeal disease in humans. Antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter spp. that originate from poultry can enter the human food chain and result in resistant Campylobacter spp. in human infections. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from chicken faeces collected from chicken farms near Harare. Human isolates of Campylobacter spp. were obtained from clinical laboratories in Harare. The Campylobacter isolates were identified by biochemical tests and tested for their susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs using the disc-diffusion method. A total of 77 human and 83 chicken isolates were characterised. C. jejuni was the most common in both humans (75.3) and chickens (60.2); followed by C. coli; which was detected in 19.5 of human and 28.9 of chicken isolates; and then C. lari; detected in 5.2 of human and 10.8 of chicken isolates. All the Campylobacter spp. from humans and chickens were susceptible to erythromycin and all isolates from the chickens were also susceptible to chloramphenicol and gentamicin. Over 85 of the isolates from humans and chickens were susceptible to ciprofloxacin; norfloxacin and tetracycline. Approximately 50 of the isolates from humans and 82 of those from chickens were resistant to co-trimoxazole. All the human and chicken Campylobacter isolates that were resistant to norfloxacin were also resistant to ciprofloxacin. The present study has shown low levels of resistance of Campylobacter spp. from humans and chickens to most of the antimicrobial drugs tested; with the exception of co-trimoxazole

Campylobacter Spp. epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility in a developing country, Burkina Faso (West Africa)

Data on campylobacteriosis are almost nonexistent in Burkina Faso. In this study conducted from 2006 to 2008 in Ouagadougou; stool specimens and sociodemographic data were collected from 1 246 patients attending the university teaching hospital for enteritis. Stool samples were analyzed for the presence of Campylobacter by the direct culture method on selective mCCDA agar followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing on the isolated strains. The isolation rate of Campylobacter was 2.3;comprising of the following species C. jejuni (51.8); C. coli (13.8); and C. upsaliensis (3.5). However; 30.9of the isolates were unidentified. No resistant strain was found to gentamicin. The resistance to amoxicillin+clavulanic acid (3.4) was lower than those (10.3-34.5) to the other antibiotics: erythromycin (10.3); tetracycline (10.3); ciprofloxacin (13.8); amoxicillin (24.1) and ceftriaxone (34.5); nalidixic acid (34.5). Significant associations were found between Campylobacter enteritis and contact with animals (P=0.03); and HIV infection (P0.0001); in contrast to other sociodemographic and seasonal factors. From the data obtained Amoxicillin+clavulanic acid appear to be the first choice for treatment. The implementation of a national program may be helpful in controlling the spread of the disease and the increase of resistance to antibiotics

Tetracycline Resistance Genes of Ureaplasmas

There is limited information in the medical setting on antimicrobial susceptibilities and resistance development in ureaplasmas. The study investigated tetracycline and doxycycline resistance in clinical isolates of Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum. Culture with species PCR confirmatory techniques were applied to 191 endocervical specimens collected during the period January-March 2006. MIC determinations were performed by microbroth dilution with tetM resistance and int-Tn genes characterised employing PCR and sequencing. Sixty-six Ureaplasma cultures (35 U. parvum; 9 U. urealyticum; 22 U. parvum + U. urealyticum) were obtained. On screening the Ureaplasma cultures; tetM gene regions were demonstrated from both tetracycline-susceptible and -resistant ureaplasmas. Seven isolates [U. parvum (6); U. urealyticum (1)] were resistant to tetracycline with dual doxycycline resistance observed in three strains. Int-Tn gene characterisation of the seven tetracycline-resistant strains revealed three types were present indicating transposons from different origins had integrated into Ureaplasma genomes. TetM sequences of five tetracycline-resistant strains were seen to be highly mosaic in structure. The finding of transposon and/or tetM regions in all Ureaplasma cultures investigated with or without full expression of tetracycline resistance; in conjunction with tetM and int-Tn gene mosaic/diversity; verifies that ureaplasmas undergo extensive genetic exchange of transposon/resistance genes with concomitant genomic remodelling