ABSTRACT
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are among the sexually transmitted diseases known to increase the risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection. Serum samples from 34 consenting AIDS patients which attended the Government-approved Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Facility at the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Abuja between April 2005 and March 2006 were screened by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the presence of anti-CT antibodies using ImmunoComb® Chlamydia Bivalent IgG Test kit (Orgenics, Israel). Anti-CT antibodies were detected in ten (29.4%) of the thirty-four patients tested. The detection rate was higher among the females (33.3%) than the males (23.1%). Patients of the age group 31-45 years had the highest detection of anti-C. trachomatis antibodies, followed by those of age group 16-30 years. The result of the present study suggests the presence of anti-CT antibodies in AIDS patients, and reinforces the need for routine screening for anti-CT antibodies as a necessary intervention to reduce the burden of chlamydial diseases and to reduce the risk of HIV and its spread in Nigeria. The outcome of this study also provides justification for the possible inclusion of anti-chlamydial agents in the National AIDS Management Plan to treat associated C.trachomatis infections.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To assess the microbiological quality of some milk products in Abuja; Nigeria capital city; and the resistance of isolates to some broad spectrum antibiotics. Method: Three packs of different brands of yoghurt and pasteurized milk purchased from four different locations were assessed in duplicate. Isolates were identified using growth on agar and broth; Gram's reaction; colony morphology; biochemical tests results and criteria for disregarding negative cultures. Resistance of isolates from pasteurized milk was determined using the antibiotic sensitivity test (zones of inhibition). Results: 33 bacterial and 12 fungal isolates belonging to 9 and 3 genera respectively were identified from the yoghurt samples. Presence of yeast was found to increase the microbial load of bacteria groups and decrease the load of live and active cultures which was absent in 33of yoghurt samples. 27of samples were heat-treated and contained no LAC. A total of 19 bacterial isolates belonging to 6 genera were identified from the pasteurized milk samples. Milk quality based on methylene blue decolourization time measurement revealed that 49of the assessed samples were of excellent quality; 37of good quality; 14of fair quality; and 0of poor quality. No milk sample was sterile. Among the three antibiotics tested for resistance on the isolated bacterial strains; three different resistance patterns were observed. Conclusion: Our study shows that mesophilic yeast was the main cause of yoghurt spoilage. Sampled yoghurt is unlikely to make a vital input to LAC intake in Nigerian diets and poses some yet undefined risk. Visual inspection of packages; quality assessment of diary plants/vessels and packaging materials; dye reduction tests; refrigeration at all times; and resistance testing should be critically considered before the use of recommended antibiotics.of yoghurt samples. 27of samples were heat-treated and contained no LAC. A total of 19 bacterial isolates belonging to 6 genera were identified from the pasteurized milk samples. Milk quality based on methylene blue decolourization time measurement revealed that 49of the assessed samples were of excellent quality; 37of good quality; 14of fair quality; and 0of poor quality. No milk sample was sterile. Among the three antibiotics tested for resistance on the isolated bacterial strains; three different resistance patterns were observed. Conclusion: Our study shows that meso- philic yeast was the main cause of yoghurt spoilage. Sampled yoghurt is unlikely to make a vital input to LAC intake in Nigerian diets and poses some yet undefined risk. Visual inspection of packages; quality assessment of diary plants/vessels and packaging materials; dye reduction tests; refrigeration at all times; and resistance testing should be critically considered before the use of recommended antibiotics