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Comparative antimicrobial activities of the aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of Alchornea cordifolia and some Cephalosporin antibiotics of different generations available in Uy, LGA of Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria were evaluated using macro dilution assay to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the plant aqueouse and ethanol leaf extracts and of the Cephalosporin antibiotics against some pathogenic Gram positive and Gram negative organisms. Results: The extraction yielded 59.9g for aqueouse leaf extract (ALE) and 74.10 g of the ethanol leaf extract. The MIC of the leaf extracts ranging from (1.953 mg/mL - 15.625 mg/ mL) and MBC ranging from (3.906 mg/mL – 62.50 mg/mL). The cephalosporin antibiotics; Ceftriaxone (Chupet®) MIC ranging from (0.0078-0.25 mg/mL), MBC (0.0312 mg/mL – 0.25 mg/mL), Cephalexin (Sporidex®) MIC ranging from (0.009766 mg/ mL - 0.625 mg/ mL), MBC (0.01953 mg/ mL -2.50 mg/ mL) and Cefuroxime with MIC ranging from (0.0078 mg/mL-0.25 mg/mL) and MBC (1.25 mg/mL - 2.5 mg/mL). Antimicrobial substances are considered as bactericidal agent when the ratio MBC/MIC ≤ 4 and bacteriostatic when the ratio MBC/MIC is > 4. The antimicrobial activities evaluated increased in the following order of potency; A. cordifolia leaf extracts > Ceftriaxone > Cefalexin > Cefuroxime considering the values of MBC/MIC. Keywords: Antimicrobial activities, bacteriostatic, bactericidal, cephalosporin, comparative.

Antimicrobial activities of the leaves and stem bark in aqueouse and ethanol extracts of Alchornea cordifolia were evaluated using tube dilution assay to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of the plant parts and to determine spectrum of activities considering the antimicrobial effect on Gram positive, Gram negative and yeast (Candida albicans), these organisms are known to be pathogenic in nature. Results showed leaves extracts, both aqueouse and ethanol exerted higher activities than the stem bark extracts with MIC values ranging from 1.95 mg/mL – 15.63 mg/mL, although the stem bark extract exhibited good inhibitory activities as well with MIC values ranging from 3.91 mg/mL – 62.50 mg/mL. The antimicrobial spectrum of activities against the organisms was determined by the ratio (R) of MBC/MIC. The leaf extract is bactericidal against the Gram-positive and Gram negative organism with the exception of E. coli that MBC was not determined and, fungicidal against Candida albicans with (R) MBC/MIC ≤ 2. The stem bark extracts were bactericidal against all the Gram positive organisms but bacteriostatic against Salmonella spp and fungistatic against Candida albicans with (R) MBC/MIC ≥ 2. This study revealed that the aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaf and stem bark of A. cordifolia plant exhibited strong antibacterial activities on Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus Subtilis, (Gram positive), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp (Gram negative) and also exhibit anti-fungal activity against the Candida albicans. The leaf extract exhibited broad antimicrobial spectrum with bactericidal activities against Gram positive, Gram negative and yeast (Candida albicans).

IntroductionFirst trimester pregnancy is defined as twelve weeks after the last menstrual period. Ultrasonography has revolutionized validation and management of first trimester pregnancies. The aim was to analyze ultrasonographic findings of first trimester pregnancies in University of Uyo teaching hospital (UUTH), Uyo, Nigeria.MethodsThe departmental ultrasonographic records of pregnant women who were referred to Radiology department of UUTH, Uyo, Nigeria. For ultrasound scans were retrospectively reviewed. The period under consideration was from 8th January 2013 to 8th February, 2016. Demographic data and ultrasonographic parameters of first trimester pregnancies like gestational sacs were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS Chicago 13. Exclusion criterion included incomplete data and acyesis despite positive βhCG test.Results26.4% (n-645) of the 2438 pregnant women who underwent obstetric ultrasonography had first trimester ultrasonography during the studied period. The peak frequency was seen in the 20-29 age range with 52.2% (n-337) and followed by 30-39 age range with 41.7% (n-269). The commonest first trimester ultrasound findings was viable pregnancy with 42.5% (n-274), followed by incomplete miscarriage with 34.3% (n-221). The least finding was trophoblastic pregnancies 0.3% (n-2). The earliest age at which normal viable pregnancy was diagnosed in this study was 5weeks 5days from the last menstrual period. Only 2.19% (n-6) of the normal viable pregnancies were multiple pregnancies and they were all twins. The highest number of referrals to Radiology Department for first trimester ultrasonography was from accident and emergency unit with 34.42% (n-222) while antenatal clinic referral was only 16.12% (n-104).ConclusionThe commonest first trimester’s obstetric ultrasonographic findings in Uyo, Nigeria are viable pregnancies and are predominantly single gestation. The earliest age of ultasonographic pregnancy detection in Uyo is 5week 5days and peak maternal age is second and third decades.

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