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Antimicrobial susceptibility tests revealed that 126 ( 60.5%) of the S.aureus isolated from both the Urine and HVS samples across the state were multidrug resistant . The predominant MAR index was 0.27 as 33.2% of isolates were resistant to 3 / 11 of antibiotics tested while the least 0.64 (7/11) was shown by 0.01% of the isolates. Generally, the highest resistance was to Ceftriazone (63.8%), followed by Gentamicin (63.0%), while Ciprofloxacin gave the highest susceptibility (95.2% ) followed by Ofloxacin (92.3%). Questionnaires revealed that 75.7% (87), 72.9%(43) and 76.5% (26) (mean: 75%) that tested positive for the organism at FMC Owerri, IMSUTH Orlu and General Hospital Okigwe respectively were asymptomatic. Result analysis revealed a significant prevalence of resistant S.aureus among these outpatients who were mostly asymptomatic and unsuspecting carriers. Conclusion:The need for routine surveillance of pregnant women for S.aureus to reduce maternal and child morbidity caused by the organism has therefore been revealed by this study.

The study was done to determine the prevalence and types of bacteria associated with ocular infections from out-patients attending optical clinic in Owerri, Imo State at the time of study. Eye swab specimens were collected aseptically from the conjunctival sac of each patient using sterile swab sticks. A total of fifty specimens were collected from patients comprising fourteen (14) males and thirty-six (36) females with ocular infections. Standard microbiological and biochemical investigations were carried out on the samples to isolate and identify the organisms involved. Results revealed that all specimens had bacterial growth. A total of fifty seven (57) bacterial isolates were obtained out of which 35 (61.4%) were Gram positive and 22 (38.6%) Gram negative. Mixed bacterial infections were observed in some specimen. The isolates fell into eleven species with varying prevalence as follows; Bacillus subtilis was the predominant species, 17 (29.8%) recovered followed by Corynebacterium sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the same prevalence of 8 (14.0%). Haemophilus sp. had a prevalence of 7 (12.3%), Staphylococcus aureus, 5 (8.8%) and Lactobacillus sp. 3 (5.3%). Klebsiella sp., Citrobacter sp. and Proteus sp. had same prevalence 2 (3.5%) while Streptococcus, Listeria and Neisseria spp. were the least isolated with 1 (1.8%) respectively. The mean viable count/prevalence rate was higher with the female gender while the age group 31 - 40 years had highest mean viable count. This implies that broad spectrum bacterial species are associated with ocular infections in Imo State at varying prevalence rates which are seemingly high. There is therefore need for proper diagnosis of eyes infections to ascertain the type and abundance of bacteria involved before administration of treatment regimen.

Abstract:Water is very important to life but when contaminated, it can be deleterious to life. Livestock from various farms produce large amount of faecal wastes. Most cattle farmers move their animals from place to place around Imo State, Nigeria, in search of pasture, these animals defeacate indiscriminately. Again, many farmers indulge in indiscriminate disposal of animal wastes. These faecal wastes can be carried by runoff water into surrounding water sources causing them to become contaminated. This study was therefore carried out to determine the prevalence of possible pathogenic bacteria in water contaminated with poultry litters, cow and pig dungs. Faecal samples from poultry, cows and pigs were collected from School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) farm in the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, Nigeria. The contaminated water samples were examined for the prevalence of bacteria. Isolation and characterization of bacteria were done using standard microbiological protocols. Results revealed the presence of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Serratia marcescens, Erwinia amylovora, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus faecalis and Salmonella typhi. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most prevalent isolate followed by Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae. The presence of these organisms of public health importance in water contaminated by livestock faeces calls for continuous surveillance of various water sources prone to faecal contamination. Appropriate treatment and disposal methods of these faecal samples as well as appropriate treatment of water source prone to such contaminants should be adopted so as to avert the possible health hazards resulting from use of water from such contaminated sources.

Abstract:Under five mortality which implies the death of a child before his or her fifth birthday is a major problem in developing countries like Nigeria. Aside other factors; microbial infection is grossly implicated in under five mortality. More problems however are caused by antimicrobial resistant microorganisms. Antimicrobial resistance by bacteria has become a global problem leading to much treatment failure. This study was therefore carried out to ascertain the antimicrobial profile of clinical isolates from pre-nursery school children between the ages of 3 and 5 years with a view to proposing the antibiotic of choice against the common isolates. Known isolates from pre-school children in Nnewi were used for the study. These isolates were subjected to standard microbiological and biochemical protocols to confirm their identities. The disc diffusion method was used to ascertain the susceptibility of the test organisms to commonly used broad spectrum antibiotics. Multidiscs containing ten broad spectrum antibiotics were used. The data obtained from this study were analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 9.5. The mean, range and standard deviation of the variables were determined where applicable. Frequency distribution, percentages and cross tabulation to examine relation between variables was done. The difference between frequencies was tested using Yate's corrected chi square (χ 2 ) test or Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The overall invitro sensitivity of the isolates was 100% to ciprofloxacin, 90.6% to clindamycin, 68.8% to gentamicin and 59.4% to cefuroxime. Fifty percent of the isolate were sensitive to cephalexim. The isolate were 34.4% sensitive to nitrofuraintoin and nalidixic acid, 25% sensitive to cotrimoxaole and 9.4% sensitive to erythromycin. All isolates were resistant to ampicillin.