Background: Transfusion-transmissible infections are well-known global health challenges. The present study is proposed to investigate the seropositivity of anti-HIV1/2, anti-HCV, HBsAg, and anti-T.pallidum among volunteer blood donors of Kosti Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. Methods: Our study was conducted in a cross-sectional retrospective manner. The data of donors who attended Kosti Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital throughout 2016 to 2018 were reviewed and retrieved manually from blood bank records. Results: Out of 8139 donors, 22.52% were seropositive for serological markers of TTIs and 1.67% were seropositive for at least two serological markers of TTIs. The overall seropositivity rate of anti-HIV1/2, HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-T.pallidum was 1.77%, 6.07%, 1.14%, and 11.87%, respectively (p < 0.000). Anti-T.pallidum was the most frequently detected (p < 0.05) marker across all study variables. TTIs seroprevalence was significantly (p < 0.05) varied according to the age, residence, occupations, and blood groups. Notably, there was a rising trend in the rate of anti-HIV1/2 and seropositivity for more than one marker with age (p < 0.000). Regionally, rural area residents had a higher rate of anti-HIV1/2 (2.20%), HBsAg (6.31%), anti-HCV (1.42%), anti-T.pallidum (18.38%), and multiple markers seropositivity (2.28%) compared to urban areas. Between occupations, the highest rate of anti-HIV1/2 (p = 0.483), HBsAg (p = 0.003), anti-HCV (p = 0.408), anti-T.pallidum (p < 0.000), and multiple markers seropositivity (p < 0.000) were detected in farmers. Regarding the screening, we also found that the frequency of anti-T.pallidum was significantly (p = 0.003) higher in donors who carry the AB+ve blood group, whereas anti-HCV (1.83%) was more frequent in donors carry O−ve blood group (p = 0.255). As seen, anti-T.pallidum+HBsAg was the most frequently (1.22%) co-occurring markers. In contrast, anti-T.pallidum+anti-HIV1/2+HBsAg was the lowest frequency one (p < 0.000). Conclusions: The study showed an alarming rate of TTIs, which suggests the requirement for comprehensive surveillance and health education programs.

IntroductionThe heterogeneous expression of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) affects the efficiency of tests available to detect it. The objective of this study was to assess four phenotypic tests used to detect MRSA.MethodsThis is an analytical comparative study conducted among sudanese patients during period from May 2012 to July 2014, Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated and identified by conventional methods, and then confirmed by PCR detection of coagulase gene. PCR detection of mecA gene was used as a gold standard to assess oxacillin resistance screen agar base (ORSAB), oxacillin disc, cefoxitin disc (at different temperatures and incubation periods) and MRSA-latex agglutination test. S.aureus ATCC 25923 was used as control. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated.ResultsMRSA- latex agglutination was the most accurate test; it showed 100% of both sensitivity and specificity, followed by cefoxitin disc with sensitivity of 98.48% and specificity of 100%. However, both of oxacillin disc and oxacillin resistance screen agar base showed less accurate results, and were affected by incubation periods. Oxacillin disc after 24 h incubation both at 30°C and 35°C showed sensitivity and specificity values of 87.88% and 96.23%, respectively. However, after 48h incubation the test at 30°C showed sensitivity and specificity values of 89.39%, and 94.34%, respectively. At 35°C (48h) it showed values of 89.39%, 92.45% respectively. Specificity of ORSAB was more than oxacillin disc at 35°C after 24h incubation 98.11% and 96.23%, respectively.ConclusionMRSA- latex agglutination and cefoxitin disc diffusion tests are recommended for routine detection of MRSA.

Background Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of nosocomial infections. Epidemiological typing of S. aureus enables control of its spread. The objective of this study was to investigate coagulase gene polymorphisms of S. aureus isolated from patients at Kosti Hospital in Sudan. Methods In total, 110 S. aureus isolates were recovered from 110 patients who were enrolled in the study. S. aureus strains were isolated on blood agar and MacConkey agar and then identified by conventional tests. Resistance to methicillin was determined by detection of the mecA gene. Polymorphism in the coagulase gene ( coa ) was investigated using PCR followed by Alu I RFLP analysis. Results Methicillin-resistant S. aureus accounted for 62/110 (56 %) of the isolates. PCR of the coa gene showed two different amplicons, one of 680 bp detected in 83/110 (75.5 %) of the isolates and one of 790 bp detected in 27/110 (24.5 %). When digested with the Alu I enzyme, the 790 bp amplicon resulted in three restriction fragments of 500, 210 and 80 bp ( coa 1). Restriction of the 680 bp amplicon gave two patterns; the first ( coa 2) was found in 22/110 (20 %) of the isolates and showed four fragments of 210, 210, 180 and 80 bp, and the second ( coa 3) was found in 61/110 (55.5 %) and revealed three fragments of 390, 210 and 80 bp. Most of the coa 3 isolates (75.4%) were methicillin-resistant. Conclusion Three polymorphic genotypes of S. aureus were identified in patients at Kosti Hospital. The coa 3 genotype was the predominant one and was mostly detected in methicillin-resistant isolates.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria is a condition in which urine reveals significant growth; with no symptoms and signs of urinary tract infection, it is common during pregnancy and lead to serious complications. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women in Kosti teaching hospital, department of Obstetrics (White Nile State-Kosti-Sudan) and to identify the causative organisms and their antibiotics susceptibility pattern. This study was a prospective descriptive cross sectional study conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kosti teaching hospital, from January to March 2017. A total of 192 pregnant women with no symptoms and signs of urinary tract infection were enrolled in the study. Midstream urine sample for culture was collected from each participant. All urine samples were inoculated on cystine lactose electrolyte deficient (CLED) and blood agar media, and incubated aerobically for 24 h at 37°C. The colonies then identified by Gram staining technique and conventional biochemical tests. Antibiotics susceptibility testing of the isolated organisms was done by using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Out of the 192 pregnant women enrolled in the study, the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 25/192(13%).The study showed that asymptomatic bacteriuria was significantly associated with the age of the pregnant women (P value 0.009), the prevalence increase with decrease in age and it was 25% in the age group (12-20 years), 11.93% in the age group (21-30) and only 2.56% among the age group above 30 years. The differences of asymptomatic bacteriuria according to the trimesters was not significant (P value = 0.264). Escherichia coli was the most frequent causal organism 8/25(32%) followed by Proteus species 7/25(28%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 4(16%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus 3/25(12%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2/25(8%) and Streptococcus agalactiae 1/25(4%). Isolates revealed high susceptibility to amikacin (84%), followed by ciprofloxacin (76%), and gentamycin (56%).However, all isolates were resistant to cotrimoxazole. High prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was noted among pregnant women in Kosti teaching hospital and more common in younger pregnant. Escherichia coli was the most frequent isolate. Most of the isolated bacteria were sensitive to Amikacin and Ciprofloxacin. K e y w o r d s

In children there is a paucity of data in recent literature on the prevalence of infective conjunctivitis and almost it is absent from an area like Sudan. This research was aimed to study the point prevalence of a cute bacterial conjunctivitis in Sudanese children and put light on causative bacterial pathogens. Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is a common infection in children and it may be extremely contagious and easily spread in day care centres and school class rooms leading to absences or lost time from work for parents, outbreaks may occur. Common presenting symptoms are red eye and eye discharge. Commonly involved bacteria are Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae. Generally it is a mild disease but more serious complications may occur.Methods: Hundred children with clinical presentation of acute conjunctivitis were included in this study. For each patient a sample for bacterial culture and sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics was obtained by a thin cotton micro swab, isolation and identification of pathogens was done by conventional methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to method standardized by CLSI. Data was analyzed by SPSS computer program. Results:The most common presenting symptom is the red eye. Bacterial pathogens were detected in 65% of the studied sample. Predominant bacterial pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae is a cause in small number of patients. All isolates are sensitive to Gentamycin. Conclusion:acute bacterial conjunctivitis is a common infection in children, muco purulent discharge points to bacterial cause in acute infective conjunctivitis. Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen and it is sensitive to Gentamycin.