Bloodstream infections are important causes of mortality and morbidity. Rapid empiric antibiotic therapy is often needed. Knowledge of epidemiological data of common pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern is needed for rapid therapy. This study was aimed at determining the common causes of septicaemia and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern from the University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé. Blood samples were collected and cultured aerobically. Isolates were identified using bacteriological and biochemical methods and antibiotic sensitivity was done using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results showed that of the 396 patients examined 112 (28.3%) had septicaemia. Children below the age of 15 years constituted the greatest percentage of infected subjects (63.4%) followed by patients aged between 16-30 years (10.7%) (P < 0.05). The highest incidence of septicaemia were from medicine (8.95‰), followed by paediatrics (7.04‰), surgery (6.46 ‰), outpatients (5.79‰), neonatology (5.12‰), obstetrics and gynaecology (5.05‰) and emergency (2.05‰) wards. The overall incidence of septicaemia was 5.79 per 1000 admissions. Gram-positive bacteria were encountered more often than gram negative bacteria (56.2% versus 43.8%, P<0.05). Among the gram-positive bacteria, 52 (82.5%) were Staphylococci; 6 (9.5%) were Streptococcus species; while 5 (7.9%) were unidentified grampositive bacteria. Among gram-negative bacteria, Enterobacteriacea 39 (79.6%) and non-fermenting bacteria 10 (20.1 %) were more frequent. Staphylococci were generally sensitive to Minocyclin and Rifampin (90%) while Enterobacteriaceae were most sensitive to Cefoxitin (71%) and Aztreonam (74%). Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus and Salmonella typhi are the leading causes of bacteraemia among patients attending the University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé

Background: The neglected tropical diseases are a group of 13 infections that affect more than one billion people worldwide, especially those who live in extreme poverty. Aim: This study was conducted to determine community knowledge of these neglected tropical diseases (NTD) in Cameroon. Materials and Methods: A random sampling method was used to administer questionnaires to 3345 adults. Results: 2566 (76.7%) of people approached responded to the questionnaire. This comprised 1313 (51.2%) females and 1253 (48.8%) males. There was a significant level of association between the opinion of the respondents and their region of residence (P<0.05). Globally the percentage of persons with good knowledge of one of the neglected tropical diseases was low (ranging from 23.1% to 80.9%). Diseases for which the population had the highest percentages of knowledge were leprosy (80.9%), soil-transmitted helminth infections (75.3%), lymphatic filariosis (70.3%), onchocerciasis (66.2%) and human African trypanosomiasis (57.8%). Diseases for which people had the least percentages of knowledge were leishmaniosis (18.0%), dracunculiasis (23.1%), buruli ulcer (23.8%), trachoma (38.2%), endemic treponematosis (41.5%) and schistosomiasis (49.1%). Populations living in urban areas had a greater knowledge of the neglected tropical diseases than those living in rural and peri-urban areas (P<0.05) and males exhibited a greater knowledge than females (P<0.05). Conclusion: There was low community knowledge pattern of neglected tropical diseases, mostly among the female populations and people living in rural areas. We advocate mass media health education to be adopted as one of the strategies for the national control policy of NTDs.

Wound infections in AIDS patients increase discomfort, prolong hospital stay, render an additional burden upon an already debilitated patient and weaken the immune system further. Treatment must relate to the aetiology of the wound and take into account the patients underlying health problems. The treatment of wounds in HIV-AIDS patients is not different from the standard treatment. There are wound-related criteria for selecting the appropriate types of dressing. The best dressing for postoperative wound healing by secondary intention is unknown. Continuing wound evaluation and the appraisal of what dressing is useful for the type of wound and stage of healing is the basis of optimum wound care Optimum wound care, emotional support; health education will enhance both the emotional and physical wellbeing of the HIV-AIDS patient.

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The tribe Proteeae is a group of bacteria within the family Enterobacteriaceae and is responsible for most cases of nosocomial infections in hospital settings. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of members of Proteeae from clinical specimens in Laquintinie hospital in Douala. Specimens were collected from patients and screened for Proteeae using standard microbiological and biochemical methods (API 20 Enterobacteriaceae gallery).