ObjectivesThe relevance of Escherichia coli associated bacteriuria infection in pregnant women is poorly understood, despite these strains sharing a similar virulence profile with other pathogenic E. coli causing severe obstetric and neonatal infections. We characterized and determined the antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance genes and virulence profiles of 82 E. coli isolates associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria in some pregnant in Ghana from February to August 2016 using Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion and polymerase chain reaction.ResultsHigh levels of antimicrobial resistance were observed to ampicillin (79.3%), tetracycline (70.7%) and cotrimoxazole (59.8%), except for cefuroxime (32.9%). Resistance genes analyses revealed 58.5% were positive for BlaTEM and 7.3% for aph(3)-Ia(aphA2). Virulence factors (VFs) was more widespread in pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters than 1st trimester. VFs relating to adhesion (papC and iha), Protectins (traT), aerobactin acquisition (iutA) and iron acquisition systems (fyuA and irp2) were more prevalent in the resistant E. coli isolates. This study provides evidence for a link in bacteriuria and transmission of extra-intestinal E. coli in pregnant women to cause multi-resistant obstetric or neonatal infections. Considering the involvement of extra-intestinal E. coli in infections, results are helpful to develop strategies to prevent maternal and/ neonatal infections.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3989-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Background Campylobacter infections in HIV positive patients often present with substantial mortality and morbidity when compared to HIV negative patients. Aim This study assessed the prevalence of Campylobacter, antibiotic resistance phenotypes and genetic factors, and risk of Campylobacter infection associated with living in close proximity to domestic animals in HIV patients with gastric enteritis at
Background. Stroke is a cardiovascular disorder causing mortality globally and long-lasting harm worldwide. The disease occurs when the blood flow to the brain is either interrupted or blocked. This disruption leads to the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially superoxide free radicals, resulting in oxidative stress. The superoxide radicals are removed by superoxide dismutase (SOD), a key antioxidant enzyme. In this work, we investigated haematological indices and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in Ghanaian patients with stroke and healthy control participants. Materials and Methods. Thirty stroke patients attending a stroke clinic and thirty apparently healthy control participants were recruited into the study. Blood samples were collected to determine haematological indices and SOD enzyme activity in red blood cells. Results. The stroke patients had significantly high blood parameters such as white blood cell ( p < 0.001 ), neutrophil ( p < 0.001 ), lymphocyte ( p = 0.003 ), and eosinophil ( p < 0.001 ) comparing with study participants without stroke, who were the control group in the study. Other blood parameters such as red blood cell, ( p < 0.001 ), haemoglobin ( p < 0.001 ), and haematocrit ( p < 0.001 ) levels and mean cell haemoglobin concentration ( p = 0.030 ), platelet ( p = 0.010 ), and plateletcrit ( p = 0.027 ) were high in stroke patients comparing with study control participants and statistically significant. Blood lymphocyte levels observed in stroke patients correlated negatively and significantly with SOD activity levels. SOD activity levels were significantly lower in stroke patients compared with the control group ( p < 0.001 ). Low values of the antioxidant enzyme SOD activity levels, lymphocytes, and high values of plateletcrit were significant predictors of stroke. Conclusion. Haematological parameters such as WBC, lymphocyte, platelet levels, and red cell indices were significantly different in the stroke patients being studied. There was negative correlation between lymphocyte significantly with SOD activity and high oxidative stress in stroke patients compared with the control group. Lymphocytes and plateletcrit levels were also good predictors of the occurrence of stroke.
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