Providing safe drinking-water, especially to those in developing countries, is still a major problem. These problems are divers and serious. Worst still, is the issue of scarcity, which has encouraged water storage in containers for future use. Long period of storage may lead to the formation of biofilms. This study aims to monitor the formation of biofilms in different water storage containers, using viable and total coliform counts as indicators, carry out isolation and characterization of organism that may possibly be responsible for the biofilm formation. Water storage containers used include polyethylene, plastic, glass, rubber, galvanized steel, aluminium, stainless steel and clay. Weekly sampling and analysis were performed by measuring pH, viable and total coliform counts using plate count and Most Probable Number technique while the biofilm formed in each container was weighed. The results showed that polyethylene had the highest degree of biofilm formation weighing 0.090 g while galvanized and stainless steel had the lowest level of biofilm formation weighing 0.010 g. Statistically, there was a difference between polyethylene and galvanized steel and aluminium and stainless steel as their p-values were less than 0.05. There was no statistical difference between glass and plastic and between plastic and rubber. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified as the biofilm forming organism in the different water storage containers. The findings strengthen evidence that pathogenic bacteria entering or already present in water storage systems can survive in biofilms for at least several weeks, even under unfavourable conditions, and may be a risk to consumers of such water.

The survival of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in human plasma was investigated following their exposure to a sub-inhibitory concentration of ceftriaxone sodium. The aim was to determine the possible effect of human immune agents present in the plasma on microorganisms that may have been previously exposed to sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics. Microbial survival was assessed by viable cell counts conducted at hourly intervals over a period of 5 hours. Subsequently, surviving organisms were used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration of the antibiotics. The results showed that the rate of replication of P. aeruginosa in plasma was significantly reduced after exposure to a subinhibitory concentration of ceftriaxone sodium. On the contrary, there was an increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration of the antibiotic after K. pneumoniae or E. coli were exposed to the sub-inhibitory antibiotic concentration. This implies that, while some organisms were weakened by sub-lethal doses of ceftriaxone sodium to the extent of susceptibility to human immune agents, others gained resistance to both the antibiotic and the immune system.

Non-adherence to good manufacturing practice alongside improper handling during dispensing, packaging and inadequate post-marketing surveillance of pharmaceutical products accounts to product’s deterioration reduced therapeutic effect and adversely affects patient’s safety especially the paediatrics. This study evaluates the microbiological quality of various brands of paediatric cough syrups marketed and used within Port Harcourt metropolis. Twenty cough syrup brands were experimented on in duplicate, coded as USS and UNS (used and unused respectively). They were subjected to organoleptic assessment, pH, viscosity, total aerobic viable count, as well as resistance- susceptibility test of isolates using standard conventional techniques. Results showed viscosity value of 0.22 - 9.09 Pascal seconds (Pa.s), pH values of 3.13 - 8.34 across the UNS and USS categories respectively. While 80% of the UNS cough syrup samples were free from potential microbial threat, 20% fraction and all USS cough syrup (100%) samples were contaminated with objectionable microorganisms and non- compliant with USP permissible limit. The potentially pathogenic isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia, demonstrating varied resistance pattern to exposed antibiotic categories. Microbial contamination might have been caused by poor quality control and improper handling of the products during use. This calls for more stringent measures during product manufacturing and handling to ensure patient’s safety and forestall possible transference of resistance strain.

The search for alternative, potent, cost-effective treatment of ailments caused by resistant microorganisms and the role of plants and their products as essential sources of medicinal agents is receiving increasing attention. Several of these natural products are reported to have capacity to produce natural compounds of high structural diversity that serve as defense agents against invading microorganisms. Cnidoscolus aconitifolius also known as tree spinach is an indigenous tropical tree that has gained lot of importance in its nutritive value and traditional use. This study evaluates the possible effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf extract alone, extract/honey combination on Staphylococcus epidermidis clinical isolate. Phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial efficacy of the extract were performed using standard methods. The results of phytochemical analysis reveal the presence of carbohydrate, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, anthraquinone, saponins and carotenoids. Antimicrobial activities showed inhibition zone values of 8.0±0.1 mm for aqueous extract alone, 9.0±0.1 mm for aqueous extract/honey combination. The finding suggests that C. aconitifolius might be a good source of compounds that can be used to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis pathogen and further supports its popular and wide traditional applications in the treatment of various illnesses. Hence the need for further research to exploit the full potential of C. aconitifolius tree in order to influence their extensive consumption, storage, improvement and production.

A successful treatment of wound infection is determined by the proper identification and evaluation of the varied types of microorganisms that colonize the wound surface. Such evaluation will include an antimicrobial susceptibility profiling of the invading pathogen(s) in order to implement an effective and pathogen specific treatment. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the bacterial species isolated from wound infections was tested to provide basis for their prudent use as antimicrobials. The standard method of antibiotic sensitivity testing with single antibiotic disc was employed in the analysis. The bacterial isolates tested were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The organisms were isolated from samples collected from patients at different wards at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The number and percentage occurrence of each individual bacterium encountered varied among the isolates. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has the highest frequency of occurrence of 48.6% accounting for 36 of the 74 bacterial isolates. This was followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli accounting for 17 (23.0%) and 11 (14.9%) respectively. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the least prevalent bacteria species accounting for 10 (13.5%) of the total bacterial count. The study shows imipenem as the most potent antimicrobial agent against the isolates tested. The isolates were moderately sensitive to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, but highly resistance to ceftazidime, erythromycin, sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim, cefepime, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and aztreonam. The study further reiterates the need for prudent use and control of antimicrobials.