Helen Oroboghae Ogefere

Effects of Gender and Seasonal Variation on the Prevalence of Bacterial Septicemia Among Young Children in Benin City, Nigeria

Aim To determine the effects of gender and seasonal variations on the prevalence of bacterial septicaemia among children 5 years and younger, and to identify the bacterial agents responsible for septicaemia and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. Methods Blood was collected from 1,724 children (967 males and 757 females) aged 1 day to 5 years with clinical signs and symptoms of septicaemia. This study was carried out from 1 January to 31 December 2007 at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. The blood samples were processed to diagnose bacterial septicaemia. Bacterial isolates were identified and susceptibility test was performed using standard techniques. Results An overall prevalence of 22.10% of confirmed bacterial septicaemia was observed in this study. Generally, gender and seasonal variations did not significantly affect the prevalence of bacterial septicaemia, though females (50.57%) during the dry season had significantly (p < 0.001) higher prevalence than their male counterparts (19.91%). Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant bacterial isolate causing septicaemia in both seasons, while Citrobacter freundii was the least frequent. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was not recovered during the dry season. Most isolates were susceptible to gentamicin and cefuroxime, but only 1.44% of Staphylococcus aureus strains were susceptible to ceftriaxone. Conclusion Bacterial septicaemia was observed in 22.1% of children 5 years and younger with clinical signs and symptoms of septicaemia. Seasonal variation did not affect the prevalence. Effect of gender was only noticed in the dry season, where females had a higher prevalence than males. Gentamicin and cefuroxime were the most active antibacterial agents. Rational use of antibiotics is advocated.

Prevalence and etiologic agents of female reproductive tract infection among in-patients and out-patients of a tertiary hospital in Benin city, Nigeria

Background: Reproductive tract infections are public health problems in women of reproductive age and can result in serious consequences if not treated. Aims: To determine the prevalence and causes of reproductive tract infections among in-patients and out-patients attending a tertiary health institution in Benin City. The antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of bacterial agents will also be determined. Patients and Methods: High vaginal swabs or endocervical swabs and blood were collected from 957 patients consisting of 755 out-patients and 202 in-patients. The swabs were processed and microbial isolates identified using standard technique. Disc susceptibility tests were also performed on microbial isolates. The blood samples were used for serological diagnosis of syphilis. Results: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of female reproductive tract infections between in-patients (52.48%) and out-patients (47.02%), although in-patients showed a significantly higher risk of developing mixed infections (in-patients vs. out-patients; 34.91% vs. 22.25%, OR = 1.873 95% CI = 1.169, 3.001; P = 0.01). Candida albicans was the most prevalent etiologic agent among out-patients studied while Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent etiologic agent among in-patients. Trichomonas vaginalis was observed only among out-patients. Ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin were the most active antibacterial agents. Syphilis was not detected in any patient. Conclusion: An overall prevalence of 48.17% of female reproductive tract infection was observed among the study population. Although there was no significant difference between in-patients and out-patients, in-patients appeared to have 1-3-fold increase risk of developing mixed infections. The most prevalent etiologic agent differs between in-patients and out-patients. Despite the high activity of ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin against bacterial isolates from both in-patients and out-patients, prudent use of antibacterial agents is advocated.

Urinary Tract Infections Among the Elderly in Benin City, Nigeria

The elderly have an increased risk of developing urinary tract infection (UTI). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of UTI among elderly (≥ 60 years) patients in Benin City, Nigeria. Clean-catch midstream urine was collected from 943 (362 males and 581 females) elderly patients with signs and symptoms of UTI. Significant microbial isolates were identified in the urine specimens and an antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed on bacteria isolates using standard techniques. Male sex was a significant risk factor for acquiring UTI in the elderly (odds ratio = 6.584; 95% confidence interval = 4.081, 10.62; p p = 0.023). Escherichia coli was the most common uropathogen (36.79%) in both sexes of elderly patients. Bacterial isolates were poorly susceptible to antibacterial agents used. An overall prevalence of 11.03% of UTI was observed among the elderly. Male sex showed an approximately 4-11-fold increased risk of acquiring UTI. The prevalence of UTI among the elderly decreases with increasing age. Rational use of antibiotics is advocated to stem the tide of high antibacterial resistance.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Sulfadoxine Antibody Among Patients Undergoing Treatment for Malaria in Benin City, Nigeria

OBJECTIVES Because of lack of data on the prevalence of sulfadoxine antibody, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of sulfadoxine antibodies and its possible risk factors. METHODS Blood specimens were collected from 500 patients undergoing treatment for malaria at Central Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information and sociodemographic data. Sulfadoxine antibodies were detected by drug absorption (DAT) and immune complex (IMC) methods. ABO, rhesus blood group, and hemoglobin (Hb) phenotype were determined by using standard technique. RESULTS DAT method had a significantly higher rate of detecting sulfadoxine antibodies compared to IMC method (p = 0.019). Age, gender, and level of education did not affect the prevalence of sulfadoxine antibodies (p > 0.050). Patients that were an artisan (p < 0.001), married (p = 0.025), living in a two-room apartment (p = 0.003), had history of drug reaction, consumed antimalarial drug (maloxine), and consumed sulfadoxine-containing drug within the last month (p < 0.001 each), and significantly affected the prevalence of sulfadoxine antibodies. Individuals with Hb phenotype AA had significantly higher prevalence of sulfadoxine antibodies (p < 0.001), and presence of rhesus D antigen was associated with sulfadoxine antibodies. CONCLUSIONS An overall prevalence of 22.0% among the tested individuals had sulfadoxine antibodies. Prudent use of sulfadoxine containing drugs is advocated.

Seroprevalence of IgM antibodies to hepatitis A virus in at-risk group in Benin City, Nigeria

No abstract available. (Published: 21 April 2016) Citation: Libyan J Med 2016, 11 : 31290 -http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ljm.v11.31290