Susceptibility pattern of some clinical bacterial isolates to selected antibiotics and disinfectants.

The antibacterial activities of five antibiotics, three brands of Ofloxacins (Obenasin, Floxavid and Drovid) and two brands of Ciprofloxacins (Uroxin and Siprosan), and five commonly used disinfectants (Lysol, Dettol, Purit, Roberts and Wex-cide) against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus spp. and Bacillus spp. were investigated. The growth inhibitory effect of both the antibiotics and disinfectants were determined using paper disk diffusion method and well-in-agar technique respectively. The highest mean zone of growth inhibition (19.3 mm) was given by Drovid on Streptococcus spp., while the smallest (7.0 mm) was by Floxavid on P. aeruginosa. Lysol had the highest mean zone of growth inhibition (18.0 mm) on Streptococcus spp. while P. aeruginosa and Bacillus spp. had no zone of growth inhibition with Roberts at 100-fold dilution. All the isolates were also resistant to Wex-cide. The test organisms were found to be significantly susceptible to the routinely used antimicrobials tested. However, there is the need for continuous surveillance for the detection of emerging resistance pattern.

Dracunculiasis in the north eastern border of Ebonyi State, south eastern Nigeria.

Between January and August 2000, a house-to-house survey of dracunculiasis was conducted in 15 communities along the north eastern border of Ebonyi State, south eastern Nigeria. Of the 3,777 subjects examined, 192 (5.1%) had active cases of guinea worm comprising 109 males (5.5%) and 83 females (4.6%). Infections were observed in all age groups. Of the 3,777 persons examined, 2,092 (55.4%) had ever been infected in the area. Protruding adult female Dracunculus medinensis worms were found predominantly on the lower limbs (80.2%), but also on the scrotum (9.4%), umbilicus (3.1%) groin (2.6%), buttocks (20.8%) and chest (1.6%). Prevalence of dracunculiasis had no significant sex, age and occupation related differences (P > 0.1). All the 47 stagnant ponds in the area were infested with cyclops while the 6 streams and 13 newly constructed community wells were free of cyclops. Of the five species of cyclopoid copepods found in the stagnant ponds, only Thermocyclops oblongatus nigerianus and Mesocyclops aequatorialis harboured guinea worm larvae. The efforts of the endemic communities, government and international organizations in guinea worm eradication in these areas are discussed.