Cotrimoxazole resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from sputum of HIV-positive patients / Resistencia al Cotrimoxazol del Streptococcus pneumoniae aislado del esputo de pacientes VIH positivos en Lagos

The prevalence and cotrimoxazole susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from sputum of 100 HIV-positive patients attending the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research clinic was investigated using standard microbiological methods. Eleven of the sputum specimens grew Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that all the isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin, augmentin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol but were resistant to cotrimoxazole. Continuous surveillance of S pneumoniae in sputum samples of HIV-positive subjects in this environment is necessary in order to regulate treatment regimen, considering that cotrimoxazole is the drug recommended by WHO for respiratory infections in HIV patients.

Usando métodos microbiológicos convencionales, se investigó la prevalencia y la susceptibilidad al cotrimoxazol, del neumococo Streptococcus pneumoniae aislado a partir del esputo de 100 pacientes VIH-positivos que asistían a la clínica del Instituto Nigeriano de Investigaciones Médicas, Once de las muestras de esputo desarrollaron Streptococcus pnemoniae. La prueba de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana mostró que todos los aislados eran sensibles a la amoxicilina, la augmentina, la eritromicina, y el cloranfenicol, pero resistentes al cotrimoxazol. La vigilancia continua de S pneumoniae en las muestras de esputo de sujetos VIH positivos en este ambiente, es necesaria para regular el régimen del tratamiento, tomando en consideración que el cotrimoxazol es el medicamento recomendado por la OMS para las infecciones respiratorias en los pacientes de VIH.

Factors Responsible for Domestic Water Contamination

Many deaths occurring in the developing countries are due to water borne diseases which are usually associated with water related behaviour such as improper disposal of faecal material as well as improper storage of water. This study was therefore designed to identify the factors that influenced domestic water contamination in our rural communities and recommend some intervention measures that can reduce this high morbidity and mortality due to diarrhoeal diseases in Nigeria. Water samples from the water sources serving six rural communities in three local government areas of Lagos State as well as water samples from 308 households from the six communities were collected for bacteriological examination. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics; toilet facilities and water storage facilities available in the households were recorded in a structured questionnaire and analysed with X2 and ANOVA statistical packages. Two out of the 12 (16.7) water sources (both bore-holes); were potable and the others were contaminated with feacal bacteria. A low percentage of households in each of the six communities had potable drinking water. Many toilets facilities (42.9) were situated less than 10 meters away from the households. Only a few households (6 .1 ) purified their drinking water. The water source; toilet facilities and occupation of the fathers in the households had a statistically significant positive association (p0.05) with the domestic water contamination level whereas age; level of education and overcrowding did not. The study recommends provision of less contaminated sources of water such as boreholes as a source of supply to communities and introduction of programmes that will promote hygienic practices amongst the communities