In resource limited settings, the appropriation of scarce resources during research efforts can b... more In resource limited settings, the appropriation of scarce resources during research efforts can be daunting. Sourcing for disposable plastic bacteriological loops for manipulating M. tuberculosis had been eating into the research budget. In an attempt to reduce cost, an alternative and more cost effective way of obtaining autoclavable bacteriologic inoculation loops from used materials in the laboratory was employed. Autoclave resistant loops were prepared from polypropylene automatic pipette tips and platinum wires from electric stoves. The loop volume, when desired, was calculated using a simple mathematical equation after several passes in weighted water. Laboratories in resource poor settings could also save on inoculating loops by adopting such pragmatic approaches using recycled materials.
The reproductive potential in a woman is age related. Nevertheless, the female reproductive syste... more The reproductive potential in a woman is age related. Nevertheless, the female reproductive system undergoes ovarian follicular development, resulting in ovulation of matured ovum for fertilization. Consequently, female reproductive aging parallels the depletion of the store of follicles until menopause is attained. This is the essential reason for evaluating ovarian reserve in women of reproductive age for infertility screening. The objective of the present study is to compare the serum FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone levels in infertile women with fertile controls. The study was designed as a case control descriptive study conducted in Benin City Edo State, Nigeria. Data were obtained through Questionnaire interview, while ELISA technique was used in the hormone analysis. Seventy-one women participated, of which 42 of them were infertile; and 29 age-matched fertile women (as controls). Secondary infertility was higher (64.3%) with 35% of them married between 3 and 5 years. The infertile patients had a significantly higher BMI than the controls (p <0.001). There was a significant difference in the serum levels of FSH and LH of the infertile women compared to the controls (p-value =0.001 and <0.001) respectively. Similarly, day 3 and day 21 serum progesterone levels of controls were significantly higher than those of the infertile women (p-value = 0.001 and 0.001) respectively. Though mean serum estradiol levels were higher in controls than the infertile women it was however not statistically significant (P=0.191). Sexually transmitted infections / pelvic inflammatory disease was identified to be treated in 52% of the infertile women. In conclusion, measurement of serum FSH, LH, Estradiol, Days 3 and 21 Progesterone collectively or FSH / LH ratio could be useful as markers for the assessment of ovarian reserve in women with infertility.
Background Cervical cancer is the commonest gynaecological cancer in developing countries. It is ... more Background Cervical cancer is the commonest gynaecological cancer in developing countries. It is a major cause of cancer related deaths among women in our subregion. Objective To determine the incidence, mode of presentation, associated risk factors and management of histologically confirmed carcinoma of the cervix at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. Method This was a retrospective study of all the cases of histologically confirmed carcinoma of the cervix at the Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, between first of August 2009 and 31st July 2014. Data collected was analysed with SPSS version 20.0 software and presented in tables and charts. Results Sixty two patients with histological confirmation of cervical cancer were managed in the hospital over a five year period. Forty five of these patients with adequate information in their folders constitute the study group. There was an incidence of 9.2% of all gynaecological admissions. The highest incidence(31.2%) was found in age group 50-59 years. Conclusion The incidence of cervical cancer is very high in our environment. Majority of the presentations were at the advanced stage of the disease.
Background Several case reports abound in literature about cases of histoplasmosis misdiagnosed a... more Background Several case reports abound in literature about cases of histoplasmosis misdiagnosed as tuberculosis (TB). Nigeria is one of the highest TB-burdened countries, but data on histoplasmosis in Nigeria are sparse in the literature. The aim of this research was to investigate patients with presumptive pulmonary TB in Calabar, Nigeria, for histoplasmosis. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 213 participants with presumptive diagnosis of pulmonary TB between April 2020 and March 2021. Urine samples were collected from selected patients for Histoplasma antigen test using enzyme immunoassay kits, while sputum samples were collected for GeneXpert test for confirmed diagnosis of TB and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis. Results Of the 213 participants enrolled into the study, 94 subjects (44.1%) were confirmed TB patients, 75 (35.2%) were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive, 41 (19.2%) had advanced HIV diseas...
Aim: Bloodstream infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The prevalenc... more Aim: Bloodstream infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The prevalence of causative microorganisms varies from one geographical region to another. This study was aimed at determining the etiological agents prevalent in our environment and their susceptibility profile. Study design: This is a retrospective study carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. Methodology: Blood culture results of patients documented over a two-year period were retrieved and analyzed. Blood culture positive isolates were detected using conventional method and Oxoid signal blood culture systems. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests were carried out by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococcus species (CoNS) was detected by disk diffusion method using 30 µg cefoxitin disk. ESBL production was detected by phenotypic confirmatory disc diffusion test (PCDDT) and the double dis...
Background: Cryptococcosis is a global disease problem. Although seen more frequently in the seve... more Background: Cryptococcosis is a global disease problem. Although seen more frequently in the severely immuno-suppressed, it can also be seen in patients without apparent immuno-suppression. Patients with pulmonary Cryptococcosis typically present with cryptococcal pneumonia while brain cryptococcosis present with meningitis. Case presentation: Here we present our experience in the management of a 33-year-old immunocompetent man, diagnosed of invasive pulmonary Cryptococcal disease with spread to the brain. This case is unique because the patient was previously treated for tuberculosis and presented with typical bronchopulmonary (difficulty in breathing and cough), thoracic (diminished breath sounds and dull percussion notes), extra-thoracic (intra-cranial space occupying lesion) as well as Computed Tommography (CT) Scan features attributable to lung cancer. Diagnosis of Cryptococcosis was made by identification of oval thick-walled yeast on histology of lung biopsy specimen.Conclusi...
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 2012
The antibiogram of nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from pregnant women a... more The antibiogram of nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from pregnant women attending University of Uyo Teaching Hospital was investigated using standard microbiological procedures. Out of 772 women, 180(23.3%) harboured nasal MRSA while 592 (76.7%) had MSSA (Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus). The highest frequency (33.3%) occured at week 16 while the lowest occured at week 36 of the pregnancy period. Evaluation by logistic regression showed no risk factor involvement for MRSA. The patients were evaluated on their first visit (booking) therefore the MRSA were likely community-acquired. Antibiogram of isolates showed sensitivity mostly to clindamycin (80%), amoxacillin-clavulanic acid (76.7%), ceftriazone (69.4%) and resistance to co-trimoxazole (51.7%). The asymptomatic nasal colonisation of MRSA in pregnant women may therefore be a risk factor for serious systemic infection after delivery.
American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 2016
The aim of this study was to determine the microbial spectrum and susceptibility pattern of non-s... more The aim of this study was to determine the microbial spectrum and susceptibility pattern of non-surgical wound infections in children in a rural setting in our environment. This study was a cross sectional study of children aged 0 to 15 years in Bakassi, Nigeria. The children were screened for non-surgical wounds using an interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire. Identified wounds were evaluated clinically for signs of infection and specimens were collected and cultured using standard microbiologic techniques. Susceptibility test was performed on all the isolated Micro-organisms. Data were collected and analysed using SPSS version 20 for windows. Sixty four wound infections out of a total of 115 wounds giving an infection rate of 55.7% were encountered. Of 64 wound cultures, 46.9% (30/64,) yielded mono-microbial growth, while poly-microbial growth of two and three microorganisms were obtained in 46.9% (30/64) and 1.6% (1/64) specimens respectively. A total of 92 organi...
Introduction: Urinary tract infection is a major reason for hospital visits and a common clinical... more Introduction: Urinary tract infection is a major reason for hospital visits and a common clinical condition encountered by clinicians. The causative agents of urinary tract infection and their resistant pattern vary globally. The aim of this study was to highlight the profile of pathogens associated with urinary tract infections in our locality. The objective was to investigate the resistant pattern of these microbial isolates from patients with urinary tract infection and offer recommendations for effective treatment. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the urine culture and antimicrobial sensitivity reports of patients with suspected urinary tract infection at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria, from September 2019 to August 2020. Methicillin resistance was detected by disk diffusion method using 30 µg cefoxitin disk. Production of Extended spectrum beta lactamases was detected by the Combination disk and the double-disk synergy method. Re...
Introduction Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is one of the rare pulmonary infections causing hyponat... more Introduction Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is one of the rare pulmonary infections causing hyponatremia (serum sodium ˂135 mmol/L) and severe hyponatremia (serum sodium ˂125 mmol/L). Although the major cause of hyponatremia in TB patients is syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion, cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS) can occur and requires evidence of inappropriate urinary salt losses and reduced arterial blood volume. Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is rare in TB with scanty literature describing it. The two reported cases highlight three possible causes of severe symptomatic hyponatremia in TB pleural effusion and disseminated TB, their treatment modalities, and the need to increase the index of suspicion to diagnose TB hyponatremia in children. Case Report Case 1: a 10-year-old girl with TB pleural effusion who developed recurrent hyponatremia in the first few weeks of anti-TB treatment which was responsive to sodium correction. Case 2: an 8-year-old girl pre...
The International Journal of Mycobacteriology, 2017
Global indices show that Nigeria has the highest tuberculosis (TB)-related mortality rate. Overde... more Global indices show that Nigeria has the highest tuberculosis (TB)-related mortality rate. Overdependence on Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) smear microscopy for diagnosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS has limited control efforts. The new polymerase chain reaction-based XpertMTB/Rif (Cepheid Inc., CA, USA), which detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance, was introduced in Cross River State in 2014. We evaluated the increment in pulmonary TB case detection following introduction of XpertMTB/Rif into the Cross River State TB control program. Data from three XpertMTB/Rif centers in Cross River were prospectively collected from June 2014 to December 2015. One spot specimen and one early morning sputum specimen were collected from each patient and tested using microscopy while one specimen was used for XpertMTB/Rif. A total of 2326 patients comprising 47.4.0% (1103) males and 52.6% (1223) females were evaluated. Their mean age was 38.8 years (range 4-89 years); 42.6% (991) were HIV positive and 50.9% (1183) HIV negative, and for 6.5% (158) HIV status was unknown. XpertMTB/Rif detected M. tuberculosis in 22.9% (534) of patients, while 16.8% (391) were ZN smear positive. Smear microscopy missed 24.5% (131/534) of cases (P &lt; 0.0001). When patients where categorized according to HIV status, XpertMTB/Rif detected 23.7% (280/1183) and ZN smear microscopy detected 18.5% (219/1183) of HIV-negative patients. XpertMTB/Rif detected 21.5% (213/991) and ZN smear 14.1% (140/991) of HIV-positive patients. TB case detection was significantly higher in HIV-negative patients than in HIV-positive patients when either XpertMTB/Rif and/or ZN was used (P = 0.018 and 0.012, respectively). The use of XpertMTB/Rif has significantly increased TB case detection and data in Cross River State. Scale-up of additional strategies such as culture is still required to improve TB detection in HIV patients.
The direct smear technique of sputum examination has low sensitivity. This work was aimed at usin... more The direct smear technique of sputum examination has low sensitivity. This work was aimed at using simple and affordable procedures to improve the sensitivity of the direct smear technique suspected of having tuberculosis. The samples were then digested with 5% sodium hypochlorite and concentrated by sedimentation at room temperature and centrifugation at 3000xg for 15 minutes. Smears were made from the sediments, stained with Ziehl Neelsen stain and examined at x100 magnification. Acid fast bacilli (AFB) detection rates of 17, 27 and 33% were recorded for direct smear, sedimentation and centrifugation techniques respectively. There were significant differences in detection rates between the direct smear and concentration methods (P 10 AFB/20 fields) from 2.9% to 16.7% and 20.0% for direct smear, sedimentation and centrifugation respectively. Sputum concentration after digestion with sodium hypochlorite is recommended for detection of AFB in laboratories in developing countries where advances in the diagnosis of tuberculosis are yet lacking.
In resource limited settings, the appropriation of scarce resources during research efforts can b... more In resource limited settings, the appropriation of scarce resources during research efforts can be daunting. Sourcing for disposable plastic bacteriological loops for manipulating M. tuberculosis had been eating into the research budget. In an attempt to reduce cost, an alternative and more cost effective way of obtaining autoclavable bacteriologic inoculation loops from used materials in the laboratory was employed. Autoclave resistant loops were prepared from polypropylene automatic pipette tips and platinum wires from electric stoves. The loop volume, when desired, was calculated using a simple mathematical equation after several passes in weighted water. Laboratories in resource poor settings could also save on inoculating loops by adopting such pragmatic approaches using recycled materials.
The reproductive potential in a woman is age related. Nevertheless, the female reproductive syste... more The reproductive potential in a woman is age related. Nevertheless, the female reproductive system undergoes ovarian follicular development, resulting in ovulation of matured ovum for fertilization. Consequently, female reproductive aging parallels the depletion of the store of follicles until menopause is attained. This is the essential reason for evaluating ovarian reserve in women of reproductive age for infertility screening. The objective of the present study is to compare the serum FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone levels in infertile women with fertile controls. The study was designed as a case control descriptive study conducted in Benin City Edo State, Nigeria. Data were obtained through Questionnaire interview, while ELISA technique was used in the hormone analysis. Seventy-one women participated, of which 42 of them were infertile; and 29 age-matched fertile women (as controls). Secondary infertility was higher (64.3%) with 35% of them married between 3 and 5 years. The infertile patients had a significantly higher BMI than the controls (p <0.001). There was a significant difference in the serum levels of FSH and LH of the infertile women compared to the controls (p-value =0.001 and <0.001) respectively. Similarly, day 3 and day 21 serum progesterone levels of controls were significantly higher than those of the infertile women (p-value = 0.001 and 0.001) respectively. Though mean serum estradiol levels were higher in controls than the infertile women it was however not statistically significant (P=0.191). Sexually transmitted infections / pelvic inflammatory disease was identified to be treated in 52% of the infertile women. In conclusion, measurement of serum FSH, LH, Estradiol, Days 3 and 21 Progesterone collectively or FSH / LH ratio could be useful as markers for the assessment of ovarian reserve in women with infertility.
Background Cervical cancer is the commonest gynaecological cancer in developing countries. It is ... more Background Cervical cancer is the commonest gynaecological cancer in developing countries. It is a major cause of cancer related deaths among women in our subregion. Objective To determine the incidence, mode of presentation, associated risk factors and management of histologically confirmed carcinoma of the cervix at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. Method This was a retrospective study of all the cases of histologically confirmed carcinoma of the cervix at the Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, between first of August 2009 and 31st July 2014. Data collected was analysed with SPSS version 20.0 software and presented in tables and charts. Results Sixty two patients with histological confirmation of cervical cancer were managed in the hospital over a five year period. Forty five of these patients with adequate information in their folders constitute the study group. There was an incidence of 9.2% of all gynaecological admissions. The highest incidence(31.2%) was found in age group 50-59 years. Conclusion The incidence of cervical cancer is very high in our environment. Majority of the presentations were at the advanced stage of the disease.
Background Several case reports abound in literature about cases of histoplasmosis misdiagnosed a... more Background Several case reports abound in literature about cases of histoplasmosis misdiagnosed as tuberculosis (TB). Nigeria is one of the highest TB-burdened countries, but data on histoplasmosis in Nigeria are sparse in the literature. The aim of this research was to investigate patients with presumptive pulmonary TB in Calabar, Nigeria, for histoplasmosis. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 213 participants with presumptive diagnosis of pulmonary TB between April 2020 and March 2021. Urine samples were collected from selected patients for Histoplasma antigen test using enzyme immunoassay kits, while sputum samples were collected for GeneXpert test for confirmed diagnosis of TB and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis. Results Of the 213 participants enrolled into the study, 94 subjects (44.1%) were confirmed TB patients, 75 (35.2%) were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive, 41 (19.2%) had advanced HIV diseas...
Aim: Bloodstream infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The prevalenc... more Aim: Bloodstream infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The prevalence of causative microorganisms varies from one geographical region to another. This study was aimed at determining the etiological agents prevalent in our environment and their susceptibility profile. Study design: This is a retrospective study carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. Methodology: Blood culture results of patients documented over a two-year period were retrieved and analyzed. Blood culture positive isolates were detected using conventional method and Oxoid signal blood culture systems. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests were carried out by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococcus species (CoNS) was detected by disk diffusion method using 30 µg cefoxitin disk. ESBL production was detected by phenotypic confirmatory disc diffusion test (PCDDT) and the double dis...
Background: Cryptococcosis is a global disease problem. Although seen more frequently in the seve... more Background: Cryptococcosis is a global disease problem. Although seen more frequently in the severely immuno-suppressed, it can also be seen in patients without apparent immuno-suppression. Patients with pulmonary Cryptococcosis typically present with cryptococcal pneumonia while brain cryptococcosis present with meningitis. Case presentation: Here we present our experience in the management of a 33-year-old immunocompetent man, diagnosed of invasive pulmonary Cryptococcal disease with spread to the brain. This case is unique because the patient was previously treated for tuberculosis and presented with typical bronchopulmonary (difficulty in breathing and cough), thoracic (diminished breath sounds and dull percussion notes), extra-thoracic (intra-cranial space occupying lesion) as well as Computed Tommography (CT) Scan features attributable to lung cancer. Diagnosis of Cryptococcosis was made by identification of oval thick-walled yeast on histology of lung biopsy specimen.Conclusi...
International Journal of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 2012
The antibiogram of nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from pregnant women a... more The antibiogram of nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from pregnant women attending University of Uyo Teaching Hospital was investigated using standard microbiological procedures. Out of 772 women, 180(23.3%) harboured nasal MRSA while 592 (76.7%) had MSSA (Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus). The highest frequency (33.3%) occured at week 16 while the lowest occured at week 36 of the pregnancy period. Evaluation by logistic regression showed no risk factor involvement for MRSA. The patients were evaluated on their first visit (booking) therefore the MRSA were likely community-acquired. Antibiogram of isolates showed sensitivity mostly to clindamycin (80%), amoxacillin-clavulanic acid (76.7%), ceftriazone (69.4%) and resistance to co-trimoxazole (51.7%). The asymptomatic nasal colonisation of MRSA in pregnant women may therefore be a risk factor for serious systemic infection after delivery.
American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 2016
The aim of this study was to determine the microbial spectrum and susceptibility pattern of non-s... more The aim of this study was to determine the microbial spectrum and susceptibility pattern of non-surgical wound infections in children in a rural setting in our environment. This study was a cross sectional study of children aged 0 to 15 years in Bakassi, Nigeria. The children were screened for non-surgical wounds using an interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire. Identified wounds were evaluated clinically for signs of infection and specimens were collected and cultured using standard microbiologic techniques. Susceptibility test was performed on all the isolated Micro-organisms. Data were collected and analysed using SPSS version 20 for windows. Sixty four wound infections out of a total of 115 wounds giving an infection rate of 55.7% were encountered. Of 64 wound cultures, 46.9% (30/64,) yielded mono-microbial growth, while poly-microbial growth of two and three microorganisms were obtained in 46.9% (30/64) and 1.6% (1/64) specimens respectively. A total of 92 organi...
Introduction: Urinary tract infection is a major reason for hospital visits and a common clinical... more Introduction: Urinary tract infection is a major reason for hospital visits and a common clinical condition encountered by clinicians. The causative agents of urinary tract infection and their resistant pattern vary globally. The aim of this study was to highlight the profile of pathogens associated with urinary tract infections in our locality. The objective was to investigate the resistant pattern of these microbial isolates from patients with urinary tract infection and offer recommendations for effective treatment. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the urine culture and antimicrobial sensitivity reports of patients with suspected urinary tract infection at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria, from September 2019 to August 2020. Methicillin resistance was detected by disk diffusion method using 30 µg cefoxitin disk. Production of Extended spectrum beta lactamases was detected by the Combination disk and the double-disk synergy method. Re...
Introduction Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is one of the rare pulmonary infections causing hyponat... more Introduction Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is one of the rare pulmonary infections causing hyponatremia (serum sodium ˂135 mmol/L) and severe hyponatremia (serum sodium ˂125 mmol/L). Although the major cause of hyponatremia in TB patients is syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion, cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS) can occur and requires evidence of inappropriate urinary salt losses and reduced arterial blood volume. Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is rare in TB with scanty literature describing it. The two reported cases highlight three possible causes of severe symptomatic hyponatremia in TB pleural effusion and disseminated TB, their treatment modalities, and the need to increase the index of suspicion to diagnose TB hyponatremia in children. Case Report Case 1: a 10-year-old girl with TB pleural effusion who developed recurrent hyponatremia in the first few weeks of anti-TB treatment which was responsive to sodium correction. Case 2: an 8-year-old girl pre...
The International Journal of Mycobacteriology, 2017
Global indices show that Nigeria has the highest tuberculosis (TB)-related mortality rate. Overde... more Global indices show that Nigeria has the highest tuberculosis (TB)-related mortality rate. Overdependence on Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) smear microscopy for diagnosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS has limited control efforts. The new polymerase chain reaction-based XpertMTB/Rif (Cepheid Inc., CA, USA), which detects Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance, was introduced in Cross River State in 2014. We evaluated the increment in pulmonary TB case detection following introduction of XpertMTB/Rif into the Cross River State TB control program. Data from three XpertMTB/Rif centers in Cross River were prospectively collected from June 2014 to December 2015. One spot specimen and one early morning sputum specimen were collected from each patient and tested using microscopy while one specimen was used for XpertMTB/Rif. A total of 2326 patients comprising 47.4.0% (1103) males and 52.6% (1223) females were evaluated. Their mean age was 38.8 years (range 4-89 years); 42.6% (991) were HIV positive and 50.9% (1183) HIV negative, and for 6.5% (158) HIV status was unknown. XpertMTB/Rif detected M. tuberculosis in 22.9% (534) of patients, while 16.8% (391) were ZN smear positive. Smear microscopy missed 24.5% (131/534) of cases (P &lt; 0.0001). When patients where categorized according to HIV status, XpertMTB/Rif detected 23.7% (280/1183) and ZN smear microscopy detected 18.5% (219/1183) of HIV-negative patients. XpertMTB/Rif detected 21.5% (213/991) and ZN smear 14.1% (140/991) of HIV-positive patients. TB case detection was significantly higher in HIV-negative patients than in HIV-positive patients when either XpertMTB/Rif and/or ZN was used (P = 0.018 and 0.012, respectively). The use of XpertMTB/Rif has significantly increased TB case detection and data in Cross River State. Scale-up of additional strategies such as culture is still required to improve TB detection in HIV patients.
The direct smear technique of sputum examination has low sensitivity. This work was aimed at usin... more The direct smear technique of sputum examination has low sensitivity. This work was aimed at using simple and affordable procedures to improve the sensitivity of the direct smear technique suspected of having tuberculosis. The samples were then digested with 5% sodium hypochlorite and concentrated by sedimentation at room temperature and centrifugation at 3000xg for 15 minutes. Smears were made from the sediments, stained with Ziehl Neelsen stain and examined at x100 magnification. Acid fast bacilli (AFB) detection rates of 17, 27 and 33% were recorded for direct smear, sedimentation and centrifugation techniques respectively. There were significant differences in detection rates between the direct smear and concentration methods (P 10 AFB/20 fields) from 2.9% to 16.7% and 20.0% for direct smear, sedimentation and centrifugation respectively. Sputum concentration after digestion with sodium hypochlorite is recommended for detection of AFB in laboratories in developing countries where advances in the diagnosis of tuberculosis are yet lacking.
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Papers by Ernest Ochang