Detection of bacterial growth in blood components using oxygen consumption as a surrogate marker in a tertiary oncology setup.

Microbiological contamination of blood and blood products is a well-recognised transfusion risk. This study was performed in the blood bank of our oncology centre, with an objective to detect bacterial contamination in our blood products using oxygen consumption as a surrogate marker [Pall Enhanced Bacterial Detection System (eBDS)]. Results revealed that the percentages of failed units were 1.16% for random donor platelets (RDP), 0.81% for single donor platelets (SDP) and 2.94% for packed red blood cells (PRBCs), of which one RDP and one SDP grew coagulase-negative staphylococcus, while one PRBC culture grew Gram-positive bacilli.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours ofadolescents in relation to STIs, pregnancy,contraceptive utilization and substance abuse inthe Mhlakulo region, Eastern Cape

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS are a major problem in South Africa. This; coupled with a high incidence of teenage pregnancy; alcohol and drug abuse; is of grave concern; especially its impact among the young (15-24 years) and in economically poor; rural populations. This study aimed to assess the youths' knowledge; attitudes and behaviours regarding STIs; teenage pregnancy; contraception and substance abuse.Methodology: This is an interview-based; descriptive study. The sample design employed a stratified sample (using schools as strata) of young people aged 15 to 24 years in three schools in the Mhlakulo region; Eastern Cape province. From each school; a sample of learners from grades 10 to 12 was selected randomly. Questionnaires covering relevant parameters were used to interview the learners; after which the data were assimilated and analysed.Results: A total of 150 learners were surveyed (86 females and 64 males). In total; 56of them knew about STIs. About 88of the participants learned about STIs from health care workers/nurses/doctors/clinics; the media; educators; the school and friends. Most preferred to communicate to friends (38.67) and siblings (28); only 15communicated with parents. Among the sexually active; 54reported the use of condoms; of these only 62used them consistently. Of the participants; 7.33had more than five sexual partners. Of the young women; 12.8reported to have fallen pregnant with one-sixth of them wanting to become pregnant. Thirty per cent of those pregnant had to quit school; but did return subsequently. Common contraceptives used were condoms (54) and pills (58). Twenty-two per cent of the youths admitted to the use of recreational drugs at some time; most of these were related to alcohol (19.33). A small fraction (1.33) used dagga (cannabis).Conclusion: There is lack of knowledge of STIs and their prevention and condom and contraceptive use among young people of this community. Sexual promiscuity and teenage pregnancy in the group is a cause for concern. Substance abuse is another important problem that requires urgent attention

Bacteriological Profile and Antibiogram of Aerobic Burn Wound Isolates in Mthatha; Eastern Cape; South Africa

Burn wound colonisation and infection is not only associated with delayed wound healing and scar formation; but may also lead to sepsisrelated mortality. A wide variety of microorganisms; like staphylococcus aureus; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and Enterobacteriaceae-like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli; are involved. Resistance is generally increasing; with reports of multidrug-and pan-resistant isolates. This study was conducted to determine the common aerobic bacterial isolates in our setting and describe their antimicrobial susceptibility. This retrospective; descriptive study was carried out on 243 patients; from whom 312 burn wound specimens were received by the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital microbiology laboratory of the National Health Laboratory Service; Mthatha. All samples were processed according to standard laboratory protocols; isolates were tabulated according to age and gender of the patients; and their percentage susceptibilities to relevant antibacterials were computed. A total of 229 patient specimens showed growth on culture. The total number of isolates was 629; out of which 269 were Gram-positive cocci and 360 were Gram-negative bacilli. The commonest organism was S. aureus (27.7); followed by K. pneumoniae (13.4); Proteus mirabilis (12.4); Group D streptococcus (9.4); P. aeruginosa (8.9) and E. coli (6.2). A generally high level of resistance was observed in many organisms. Methicillinresistant S. aureus accounted for 57.5of the S. aureus. Resistance among the Gram-negative bacilli was; in general; least to imipenem; amikacin and ciprofloxacin. The common organisms causing burn wound infections in our setting include staphylococci; Klebsiella; Proteus and Pseudomonas and there is a high level of resistance against commonly used antimicrobials. Regular surveillance of burn wound organisms and their antimicrobial resistance patterns will help in determining empirical antibiotic therapy for subsequent related septic events

Correlation between Different PBL Assessment Components and the Final Mark for MB ChB III at a Rural South African University

Problem-based learning (PBL) is now an accepted component of many medical school programmes worldwide. Our university also follows the PBL `SPICES' model for MB ChB III. The assessment modalities used are the modified essay questions (MEQ); objective structured practical examination (OSPE); individualised process assessment (IPA) and tutorial continuous assessment (TUT). This study was done to compare the students' performances in individual assessment components with the final mark to determine the correlation between these parameters. Materials and methods. The study was retrospective; descriptive and analytical; based on the integrated marks of all the MB ChB III students at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in 2007. Assessment marks were stratified according to blocks and different types of assessment (MEQ; TUT; OSPE; IPA). Regression analysis was used to compute and scrutinise these vis-a-vis their correspondence with the final marks for each block.Results. Three hundred and seventy-nine block assessment marks of 96 students from 4 blocks of MB ChB III were analysed and the correlation between the assessment components and final mark were compared. Regression analysis showed good correlation when analysing the assessment modality versus the final mark for the MEQs (r=0.93; 0.93; 0.94; 0.96); followed by OSPEs (r=0.71; 0.70; 0.76; 0.77) and IPAs (r=0.62; 0.51; 0.68; 0.77). However; correlation was not significant with the TUT. Conclusion. There was good correlation between the students' performance in the majority of assessment modalities and the final mark in the different blocks of the MB ChB III examination. There may be a need to make tutorial assessment methods more objective; partly by additional tutor training