Lactic Acid Bacterial Vaginosis among Outpatients in Addis Ababa

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial syndrome in which a decrease in vaginal acidity and concentration of lactobacilli is accompanied by an increase of other pathogenic micro-organisms. The distribution of lactic acid bacteria in vaginal environment of Ethiopian women has not been documented. Objective:To assess the frequency of bacterial vaginosis in women visiting a gynecological clinic in Addis Ababa and to characterize the most common lactic acid bacteria isolated from vaginal fluid. Methods: Vaginal samples from a total of 100 women aged between 18 and 60 years and visiting a gynecological clinic in Addis Ababa were collected between January and June; 2008 and analyzed for their microbial flora. Their Nugent score was determined microscopically and Lactic acid bacteria were isolated; characterized and their drug resistance determined. Results: BV frequency among these study women was 32. Only 15were symptomatic as detected by the presence of malodor or abnormal discharge. The majority (44) was in the age group of 18-30 years and less than a quarter of them had BV. It was also detected in about a third of women belonging to the two major religious denominations had BV. The frequency of BV among pregnant women was low. The frequency of BV in women with prior abortion was slightly higher than 1/3. A total of 350 lactic acid bacterial isolates were obtained and 40of them belonged to Lactococcus species. Lactobacillus; Leuconostoc; and Pediococcus were encountered at different frequencies. Resistance was seen against all drugs at various frequencies among the LAB (Lactic Acid Bacteria) isolates. Resistance of LAB to all antibiotics tested ranged between 20and 42; and the least resistance was noted against vancomycin. All women who had been positive for bacterial vaginosis were accordingly treated. Conclusion: Bacterial vaginosis may contribute to adverse reproductive outcomes. Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in this study compares well with other African studies. The species richness and relative abundance of vaginal lactic acid bacteria in this study may be considered to design better probiotic products as bacterial replacement therapy. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010;24(3):198-204]

"The in vitro antibacterial activity of ""tazma mar"" honey produced by the stingless bee"

"In 1993 the antibacterial effect of tazma mar was evaluated on Salmonella typhimurium; Salmonella enteritidis; Escherichia coli; Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations of 10; 15 and 20 percent in Brain Heart Infusion Broth. In the absence of ""tazma mar""; the Gram negative test strains reached counts greater than 10 the power of 8 cfu/ml within 12 hours and maintained the count until 48 hours. At 10 percent concentration; S. typhimurium; S. enteritidis and E. coli were not inhibited until 12 hours; but thereafter their number declined faster and complete inhibition was observed at 48 hours. Retarded growth and inhibition was noted at 15 percent and 20 percent concentrations. A more marked growth retardation and inhibition at all concentrations was noted on B. cereus and Staph. aureus. ""Tazma mar"" may be effective to treat food-borne infections at low concentrations."

Growth potential and inhibition of bacillus cereus and staphylococcus aureus during the souring of ergo; a traditional Ethiopian fermented milk

The growth potential of bacillus cereus and staphylococcus in milk in non-smoked and smoked containers was assessed. In non-smoked containers both organisms reached a level of about 10[7] cfu/ml within 24 hours. A marked retardation of growth of the organisms was achieved until 24 hours (10[3] cfu/ml) by smoking the containers. In souring Ergo; pH fell to -4.3 and titratable acidity increased to more than 0.73 in 24 hours in milk in non-smoking containers and the organisms were completely inhibited within 24 to 36 hours. Although rate of pH drop and increase in titratable acidity was slightly lower in souring Ergo in smoked containers; complete inhibition of the test organisms was detected within 24 hours. Smoking containers and inoculating a heat-treated milk with an old Ergo starter is recommended to obtain a wholesome product