Bacterial isolates from cerebrospinal fluid of children with suspected acute meningitis in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the common aetiolog of acute bacterial meningitis in children and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study with a review of cerebrospinal fluid culture reports of paediatric patients aged 0-15 years, suspected of acute meningitis in the Medical Microbiology Department of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria from October 2006 to October 2009 from October 2006 to October 2009. RESULTS: A positive culture bacterial isolation rate of 3.3% (n=50/1500) with prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae (24%), Neisseria meningitidis (22%), Escherichia coli (16%), Haemophilus influenzae (14%), Group B streptococci (8%) and Enterococci (8%) which were susceptible to ceftriaxone (96%), cefotaxime (95%) and ciprofloxacin (93%) across the bacterial isolates. Neonates were 55% (n=6.8/12.4) most at risk. CONCLUSION: Neonates are the most at risk of acute bacterial meningitis. In the absence of antibiotic susceptibility report, ceftriaxone should be considered as a first choice reliable antibiotic for empirical treatment of meningitis in children, in this environment.

Vaginal candidiasis and its risk factors among women attending a Nigerian teaching hospital.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The study was set to detect Candida species in female genital discharge and validate the associated risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of female genital swabs collected from women with abnormal vaginal discharge (test group) and a control group who were attending gynaecology, family planning, antenatal care or HIV/STI clinics of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano Nigeria and analysed for microscopy and culture in microbiology laboratory from December 2008 to December 2009. Data on epidemiologic indices were collected from the patients, using structured interviewer- administered questionnaires. RESULTS: Candida species were detected in the test group in 60% (n=600/1000) cases of infective vaginal discharge while 12% (120/1000) in the control group. The isolation rate of Candida albicans was 69% more than the non- albicans. Distribution of vaginal candidiasis in the test group, was prevalent in young adults age group of 21 to 30 years with 50% (n=300/600), in patients with pregnancy 38% (n=225/600) and patients with chronically debilitating illnesses 26% (n=157/600). CONCLUSION: The result shows that vaginal candidiasis is quite common and Candida albicans is the most prevalent species. We therefore recommend early diagnosis and prompt treatment of vaginal candidiasis in all women clinics especially among the patients with chronic debilitating illness, pregnancy and young adults in order to avert the complications of vaginal candidiasis and reduce HIV transmission.

Bacterial isolates in blood cultures of children with suspected septicaemia in Kano: a two-year study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: Septicaemia is a common condition in children with a resultant high morbidity and mortality. The gold standard for diagnosis of septicaemia is the isolation of bacterial agents from blood cultures. The study was done to determine the common aetiology of septicaemia in children and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in Kano, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study with a review of blood culture reports of paediatric patients aged 0-15 years, suspected of septicaemia, from October 2006 to October 2008 in the Medical Microbiology department of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano. Kano. Nigeria was carried out. RESULTS: Out of a total of 3840 blood culture samples, only 18.2% (n=700) was culture positive. Gram-negative and gram - positive bacteria constituted 69.3% (n=2661) and 30.7% (n=1179) respectively. The most prevalent bacterial isolates were Escherichia coli with 44.3% (n=310/700) and Staphylococcus aureus 30.7% (n=215/700). Escherichia coli were sensitive to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and clavulinate - amoxyl. CONCLUSION: The commonest bacterial isolate from blood culture of children with suspected septicaemia in Kano is Escherichia coli. The most sensitive and preferable among the tested antibiotics is ceftriaxone. Rational use of antibiotics with regular antibiotic susceptibility surveillance studies is recommended to maintain high antibiotic therapeutic profile.

Distribution of Male Urethral Discharge among the Patients in Primary Health Care Centres of Jos North L.G.A.; Jos; Nigeria

Objectives: The study was to determine the distribution of male urethral discharge among the patients seen in primary health care centres of Jos North Local Government Area. Methods: Male patients with urethral discharge were recruited during their clinic days; from September 2004 to May 2006. A structured questionnaire was administered to the patients who gave their consent. Pre-treatment and post-treatment urethral samples were collected and processed according to standard laboratory procedures. Results: One hundred and seventy-six out of 200 patients completed the study. The age range and mean age of the patients were 11-60 years and 30.7 years respectively. The age decade 21-30 years constituted 100 (56.8) of 176 patients; commercial motorcyclists contributed 80 (45); the single marital status recorded 106 (60.2) while primary and secondary education status had 141 (80). Conclusion: Commercial motorcyclists recorded the highest risk of male urethral discharge; and the peak was among young adults of age decade 21-30 years; especially among the single and less educated