Search Result

Enterococcus faecalis is a major nosocomial uropathogen. We report here the epidemiological investigation of drug resistance and in vitro biofilm formation among E. faecalis strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infection in the Charles Nicolle Tunisian hospital from October 2015 to March 2016. The microbial isolates obtained after urine cultivation on CLED agar were identified by Gram staining, oxidase or catalase reaction, and conventional biochemical tests. The susceptibility to antibiotics was determined by the disk diffusion method according to recommended French standard. Biofilm formation was quantified using the microtiter plate assay with crystal violet staining. The 28 E. faecalis urinary isolates showed systematic susceptibility to rifampicin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, and linezolid; high rates of resistance (75 to 96.4%) to erythromycin, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim; medium rates of resistance to norfloxacin and gentamicin (57.1%); and low resistance frequencies (3.6 to 7.1%) to ampicillin, imipenem, and chloramphenicol. Multi-resistance to at least three different classes of antibiotics was detected in 20 isolates (71.4%). The patients infected by E. faecalis were predominantly men with a mean age of 47 years, with an underlying disease. All the 28 E. faecalis isolates effectively formed biofilms to varying degrees. The correlation between biofilm formation, multi-resistance to antibiotics, and underlying diseases is discussed.

Nurses are health care professionals whose duty it is to protect patients from acquiring infections while hospitalized or while in a health care setup. By maintaining an infection-free environment, the patient’s recovery will be promoted and high-quality nursing care will be delivered. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nurses regarding infection prevention and control. Material and Methods: A quantitative descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Multan. Stratified random sampling was performed. Result and Conclusion: A total of n= 196 nurses of all categories were recruited in the study. Most of the participants were female; 84.7% (n= 166) while 15.3 % (n= 30) were male. The majority of participants had good knowledge of infection prevention and control with the mean score of 83.21. The attitude towards infection prevention and control was good with a mean score of 81.37. The practice in infection prevention and control was poor with a mean score of 48.88. Based on the findings of the current study, it can be concluded that, despite performing well in knowledge and showing a positive attitude towards infection prevention and control, nurses had unsatisfactory practice levels regarding infection prevention and control, exposing the pat1ients to infection-related diseases.

Osteomyelitis can happen if a bacterial or fungal infection enters the bone tissue from the bloodstream, due to injury or surgery. Most often the bacteria are staphylococcus, but in sickle-cell children, both salmonella and staphylococcus are implicated. The bacteria are haematogenously disseminated and deposited in the trabecular bone or marrow, usually in the metaphysis of the proximal tibia or distal femur. Oteomyelitis manifests in patients with sickle cell anaemia when there is infections thorough some bacteria and could affect the bones with attendants effect in the activity of bone marrow which will affect the solid phase of blood and the quality of lives of the sickle cell anaemia patients. Preventive measures such personal hygiene should be adopted to avoid the danger such inflammation could cause in the patients.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B prevalence is highest in sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia, where between 5–10% of the adult population is chronically infected. Hepatitis B is an important occupational hazard for health workers. However, it can be prevented by currently available safe and effective vaccine. Hepatitis B has a potential of causing life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) remain a serious reproductive health problem globally. In Africa, the rate of infection of STIs among youth remains high and research shows that there is 45% rise in STI cases among youth aged 15 – 25 years. Similarly, although testing and treatment services for sexually transmitted diseases are provided at most health centers, the rate of STI infection among youth remains high. This was influenced by various factors including inadequate knowledge about the effective use of preventive measures such as condoms, gender roles, risky sexual practices such sexual networking, having multiple partners as well as misperceptions about condom use among others.

Surgical site infections are worldwide problems in the field of surgery contributing to increased mortality and morbidity. However, despite advances in the control of surgical site infections, the risk of acquiring these infections had not fully been eliminated due to the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria pathogens. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify bacteria from surgical wounds patient.

Urinary tract infections are regarded as one of the most infection diseases caused by bacteria, especially in females, as it’s estimated that 50% of all women get at list a urinary tract infection during their life time. In community settings, urinary tract infections mainly affect women that are active sexually, whereas among the middle hospitable, they are the people of old age and the carriers, who are mostly affected. Allium sativum has for many years been known and used as one of the best active herbal plants for management of various illnesses caused by bacteria. Garlic exhibits broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against both Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria.The inhibitory effect of fresh garlic extract against gram negative multidrug resistant bacteria was the same as compared to the inhibitory effects attained from the drug-susceptible strains of Escherichia. Coli.

Co-infection with both HIV and malaria presents a complex medical challenge, particularly concerning hematocrit variations that often result in anemia in affected individuals. This comprehensive review aims to explore and synthesize existing literature to elucidate the multifaceted nature of hematocrit alterations observed in HIV patients concurrently infected with malaria. The pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to hematocrit variations in this co-infected population involve a complex interplay between the immunosuppressive effects of HIV and the hemolytic nature of malaria parasites. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted interventions. Diagnostic challenges abound due to overlapping symptoms and limitations in conventional diagnostic tools, necessitating the exploration of more advanced diagnostic methodologies to accurately assess and monitor hematocrit levels in co-infected individuals. The clinical implications of hematocrit variations in this context extend beyond mere anemia, impacting disease severity, treatment response, and the overall prognosis of affected patients. Anemia complicates therapeutic interventions, potentially affecting the efficacy of antiretroviral and antimalarial treatments. Persistent anemia in co-infected individuals increases vulnerability to opportunistic infections and compromises treatment outcomes, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive management strategies. These strategies encompass a holistic approach involving antiretroviral therapies, antimalarial drugs, nutritional support, and potential interventions such as blood transfusions in severe cases. In conclusion, this review consolidates current knowledge, emphasizing the need for further research to elucidate the nuances of hematocrit variations in HIV patients co-infected with malaria. Improved understanding, enhanced diagnostic modalities, and optimized management strategies are crucial to mitigate the impact of anemia and improve outcomes in this vulnerable patient population.

Co-infection with HIV and malaria presents a multifaceted clinical scenario with intricate immunological interplays, wherein neutrophils, the primary mediators of innate immunity, emerge as pivotal actors. This paper aims to comprehensively analyze the dynamic role of neutrophils in the progression of HIV within the context of malaria co-infection. Neutrophils, conventionally viewed as short-lived effectors, exhibit remarkable plasticity and multifunctionality, contributing significantly to immune responses during co-infections. Their phenotype and functions undergo profound alterations in response to the complex milieu of both HIV and malaria, impacting disease progression and immunomodulation. This paper scrutinizes the nuanced alterations in neutrophil phenotypes, their diverse effector functions, and their contributions to immunopathogenesis within the HIV-malaria co-infection paradigm. Neutrophils, driven by dysregulated cytokines and inflammatory cues, exhibit heightened activation, potentially exacerbating tissue damage and chronic immune activation. Insights gleaned from understanding neutrophil dynamics in this co-infection scenario hold significant therapeutic implications. Potential interventions targeting neutrophil responses offer promising avenues for modulating immune dysregulation and managing disease progression. The review underscores the need for innovative therapeutic approaches aimed at harnessing neutrophil functionalities to mitigate HIV progression within malaria co-infected individuals. In conclusion, unraveling the intricate roles of neutrophils provides critical insights into the immunopathogenesis of HIV within the context of malaria co-infection. This comprehensive understanding not only sheds light on immune modulation but also presents a foundation for future therapeutic strategies aimed at improving clinical outcomes in this complex co-infection scenario.

Platelets, conventionally recognized for their pivotal roles in hemostasis and thrombosis, have emerged as multifunctional players in immune responses. In the context of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, platelets exhibit intricate interactions influencing viral pathogenesis, immune activation, and disease progression. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the diverse roles played by platelets in modulating HIV infection, shedding light on their impact on viral dynamics, immune responses, and associated pathophysiological processes. The paper addresses platelet-driven alterations in coagulation pathways and endothelial function in the context of HIV, emphasizing their role in HIV-associated coagulopathies, endothelial activation, and consequent vascular dysfunction. Additionally, the involvement of platelets in the development of HIV-associated comorbidities such as cardiovascular complications, neurocognitive impairment, and systemic inflammation is discussed, delineating platelet-driven mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of these conditions and their implications for disease outcomes. In conclusion, the multifaceted roles of platelets in HIV infection underscore their significance beyond hemostasis, offering potential insights into therapeutic avenues and highlighting the need for further investigations to decode the complexity of platelet-driven modulation of HIV infection.