Sterile Swab Stick Research Articles

Isolation, Detection and Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus from Postoperative Infections

Post operative infections that occur after surgical procedures can cause a lot of complications like sepsis, organ failure or even death. These are the third most commonly reported healthcare associated infection. The most common cause of wound infection regardless of procedure performed remains gram-positive cocci which comprise more than 50% of all infections. Specifically, Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci are the most frequent organisms isolated from a wound infection. There has been an increasing incidence of MRSA strains reported in hospitals across the globe. The main aim of our study is isolation, detection and molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus from postoperative infections. Samples were collected from post operative patients with infected wounds. The area around the wound was cleaned. Exudates were collected from the wound with a sterile swab stick. The samples were inoculated on different solid culture mediums and the plates were incubated in the presence of oxygen at 37°C overnight. There were many standard procedures done in which tube coagulase was taken as the main criteria. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by Kirby Bauer method following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines using commercially available cefoxitin (30 μg) disc (HiMedia) and the results were compared with Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and MRSA ATCC 43300 control strains. The MRSA strains were identified and detection of Mec A gene that codes for methicillin resistance is done using PCR technique.

Prevalence of Candida albicans among Female Patients in Two Selected Hospitals in Owerri Metropolis, Imo State Southeastern Nigeria

The incidence of candidiasis in the female reproductive tract is a serious threat to public health. This study assesses the prevalence of Candida albicans among female patients in the two selected hospitals in Owerri metropolis. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 120 female patients between the ages of 16-56 years. Only patients who showed no symptoms of urinary tract infections and who were not on anti-fungal therapy at the time of the study were included in the study. A well-structured interview questionnaire was used to source information on socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents as well as the risk factors of Candida albicans infections. High Vaginal Swab (HVS) was aseptically collected from each of the patients, using a sterile swab stick. The collected samples were labeled appropriately and immediately sent to the microbiology/mycology lab for analysis. The HVS samples were respectively streaked directly into sabouraud agar plates and incubated anaerobically at 37oC for 48 hours. Yeast growth characteristics were noted. Positive colonies were sub-cultured in Macconkey agar to obtain pure isolates. The Candida albicans were properly identified and confirmed by germ tube test, gram staining and biochemical tests. The results showed that the overall prevalence of Candida albicans among the women was (53.34%). The prevalence was highest among the patients in the age group 16-25 (44.17%), lower education qualification (n=65, 54.17%) and pregnant women (n=44, 36.67%). The possible risk factors for the infection include use of antibiotics (n=85, 70.83%), use of nylon underwear (n=78, 65.00), use of public toilet (n=90, 75.00%), use of squat WC (n=59, 9.17%) and use of oral contraceptive (n=59, 49.17%). The results call for preventive measures to protect women. Therefore public health education and campaign should be adopted.

USAGE OF TOLUIDINE BLUE IN EARLY DETECTION OF MALIGNANT AND PREMALIGNANT LESIONS

Objective: To Test the utility of toluidine blue staining in the early diagnosis of malignant and premalignant lesions. Materials and Methods: This was a Randomized control clinical trial, carried out at Oral and Maxillofacial Department Gajju Khan Medical College, Bacha Khan Medical Complex, Swabi from 15th April 2019 to 15th April 2020. Twenty two patients with the clinical suspicious lesions were selected. Oral rise was done with 1% acetic acid and later Toluidine blue (1%W/W) was applied with sterile swab stick. Again oral rise was done with normal saline. Colour of the lesion was noted. Later incisional biopsy was taken as gold standard. Results: Total of 22 cases the males were 14(63.6%) and females were 8(36.4%). The sensitivity and specificity of toluidine blue against gold standard of histopathology were 88.89% and 61.54% % respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of toluidine blue was 72.73%. Conclusion: Toluidine blue is very good, effective and simple staining procedure. The staining method is more tolerable by the patient. It may help not only in detecting early dysplastic and malignant lesions but will also help in determining the site of biopsy to be taken.

PI-1 Age-specific HPV prevalence among adolescent girls in Jos, North-Central Nigeria

Background: Knowledge of the age-specific prevalence of HPV types among adolescent girls in SSA is essential to determine the best age for introduction of HPV vaccination, monitoring of vaccine efficacy and provision of insight into persistent infection. Methods: We randomly selected 205 girls, age 9–20 years living in Jos, Nigeria. Informed consent and assent were obtained prior to training on self-collection of vulvo-vaginal samples using sterile swab stick and first void urine. HPV detection was carried out using HPV SPF10-DEIA/LiPA25. Data analysis was done using STATA14. Results: The mean (SD) age of the girls was 14.9 (2.3) years. AnyHPV was detected in 29.3% of participants. The earliest age at which anyHPV and high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infections were detected in either urine or vulvo-vaginal samples were 10 and 11 years of age respectively. The prevalence of anyHPV, hrHPV, lrHPV and multiple hrHPV peaked at 16 years of age. The prevalence of hrHPV infection was 3.4% among the 9–12 years age group, 7.8% among 13–16 years and 5.4% among 17–20 year old. The commonest hrHPV types detected were 52 (10.2%), 18 (6.3%) and 51 (4.4%). Conclusions: While a larger study is warranted, our findings suggest that in this population, HPV vaccination starting at 9 years of age would cover the at-risk population.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Bacteria Isolated from Fitness Machines in Selected Fitness Centers at Akure and Elizade University in Ondo State Nigeria

Aim: This study seeks to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from surfaces of fitness machines at fitness center located at Elizade University and Akure town.
 Methods: Samples were collected from the different site of gym equipment including thread mill (handle, floor), bicep bench (handle), bike (handle, paddle), cruncher (handle, elbow) using sterile swab stick moistened with sterile buffered physiological solution. The swab sticks were immediately transferred to the laboratory for analysis. Standard microbiological techniques were used to identify the bacterial isolates. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates was determined by using standard antibiotics discs. 
 Results: Out of the 31 isolates identified, Staphylococcus aureus 12(38.7%) was the predominant bacteria followed by Bacillus spp. 11(35.5%), Klebsiella spp. 4(12.9%), E. coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus 2(6.45%) and Enterococcus spp. 1(3.23%). The susceptibility profile showed that all isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin (AM) and Augmentin (AU), Staphylococcus spp. isolated from different surfaces shows different susceptibility pattern to the used antibiotics, while Bacillus spp. Klebsiella spp. and E. coli also confer resistance to more than one commonly used antibiotic.
 Conclusion: The results showed the occurrence of potential pathogenic bacteria in which their presence on the equipment surfaces could easily be transmitted between users and to the environment generally. The spread of these potential pathogenic microorganisms in the fitness centre can be prevented through frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer as well as daily cleaning of equipment surfaces before and after activities with disinfectants.

Evaluation of biofilm and enterotoxin producing capacity of methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> isolated from healthy persons

This study is aimed at investigating biofilm and enterotoxin producing capacity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from nostrils of healthy students of Delta State University Oleh campus. Three hundred (300) nasal samples were collected using sterile swab stick and the isolates were identified using relevant biochemical tests. Determination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was carried out with the aid of Oxacillin sensitivity disc to test the presence of penicillin binding protein2a (PBP2a). The Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were screened to determine their biofilm producing ability using crystal binding assay. Latex agglutination test was carried out to detect the presence of enterotoxins among the MRSA isolates. The incidence of MRSA colonization among healthy individuals in the community of the S. aureus isolated was 47 (48.9%). Enterotoxins B was mostly detected, only three Enterotoxin C were detected. All the MRSA isolates tested for the presence of biofilm showed positive results. It has been observed that MRSAs are capable of producing biofilms and enterotoxins which pose the risk antibiotic resistance and human Staphylococci toxicity.Keywords: Enterotoxins, Biofilm, Staphylococcus aureus

Bacterial colonization in uninfected pilonidal cyst and its role in developing recurrence in postoperative period: Prospective study

Aim: To determine the bacterial prevalence and its susceptibility to antibiotics, and additionally, to investigate the relationship between bacterial status and recurrence and complications with regard to whether bacteria reproduce in the cyst cavity in uninfected pilonidal cyst. Material and Methods: The cases included in the study were those who applied to our clinic due to pilonidal sinus and surgical operation was decided. Before the operation, culture specimen was taken using a sterile swab stick from the cyst hole. The cyst was excised with a safety margin. The excised material was opened under the guidance of the cyst hole and the cavity was entered and samples of cyst tissue and content were collected for culture-antibiogram. Results: Totally 46 cases were included in our study, Average age was 26 (18-47) years. Limberg flap was performed to 37 (78%) of the cases, and primary repair to 9 (22%) cases. Average follow-up period was 27.1 (sd±7.6) months. Normal bacterial skin flora was determined in 6 (13%) cases and significant bacterial reproduction in 4 (8.6%) cases (Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus anginosus, MRSA, Streptococcus dysgalactiae ) in the cyst cavity culture. In tissue culture however, skin bacterial flora was observed in 9 (19.5%) cases, while bacterial growth only in 1 case. Recurrence was determined in 3 (3.6%) cases in total. Bacterial growth, and other factors were not associated with recurrence (p> 0.05) Conclusion: In this study, non-infected pilonidal sinus surgery does not require bacterial culture to prevent recurrence.

Impact of bacterial translocation in calves with atresia coli.

To identify whether enteric bacteria pass into the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and peritoneal cavity in calves with atresia coli and to evaluate whether the presence of bacterial translocation (BT) has an impact on the success of surgical treatment. Prospective clinical study. Twenty-six client-owned calves. During laparotomy, swab samples were collected from the peritoneal cavity and MLNs using a sterile swab stick and were submitted for microbiological analysis. Bacterial cultures of swab samples revealed that 65% (n = 17) of the calves experienced BT. Of these, 14 calves experienced BT to the MLNs, 9 to the peritoneal cavity, and 5 to both regions. Of the bacteria isolated from the MLNs, 72% (n=10) were Escherichia coli. Of the samples isolated from the peritoneal fluid, 33% (n=3) contained E. coli and 33% (n=3) contained E. coli + coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS). In calves with BT that were discharged (n=13) and without BT that were discharged (n=7), the median survival was 30 days; these data were found to be similar in the 2 groups. This study revealed that BT is observed in the majority of atresia coli cases. E. coli is more common in BT, and translocation occurs primarily through the lymphatic route. These results suggest that the presence of BT is closely related to the success of the operation for correction of atresia coli.

Prevalence of Trichomoniasis among Adults in Oru-East l.g.a, Imo State, Nigeria

Prevalence study on Trichomoniasis, a sexually Transmitted disease among adults male and female attending health facilities in Oru-East local Government area of Imo State was conducted between April and August, 2017. A Total of two hundred (200) high vagina swab (HVS) and urine were aseptically collected with a sterile swab stick and clean containers from female and male respectively. Of these samples collected, 100 were from females while the remaining 100 were from males. The specimen were examined macroscopically for color and odor of the discharge and urine and microscopically using wet mount preparation for characteristic tumbling motility of Trichomonas vaginalis under X10 and X40 objectives within an hour of collection. The overall prevalence result showed that out of 200 women and men screened, 81(40.5%) were infected and of these number, women had the highest infection of 52(52.02%) while men had the prevalence of 29(29.0%) .Clinic based result revealed that those attending general hospital Awo-omamma had the highest prevalence of 48 (48.0%) while the least was from Mbutu Health Care Centre with prevalence of 8(20.0%).The age range related prevalence revealed that those within 29-39 years had the highest prevalence of 34 (64.15%) while the least was among those within the age range of 61-72 with 5(21.74%). Educational background related prevalence showed that highest infection was recorded among those who had secondary education, 60(42.45%) while the least was recorded among those that had tertiary education. Occupational related prevalence revealed that artesian had the highest infection prevalence of 42(58.33%). The chi square analysis showed that infection did not differ significantly among the age groups (p<0.05) while the mean PH level of the vagina differ significantly among the groups, (p<0.05) with age range of 29-39 having highest pH level of 6.7. Consequently, Trichomoniasis is more prevalent among the sexually active population than the less sexually active ones hence regular and early diagnosis should be advocated to avoid obvious adverse effects to the infected individuals, their sex partners and the unborn babies.

Detection of Multidrug Resistant and Shiga Toxin Producing &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Escherichia coli&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (STEC) From Apparently Healthy Broilers in Jessore, Bangladesh

The research work was undertaken for detection and determination of antibiogram profile of Escherichia coli (E. coli ) that produce Shiga toxin from apparently healthy broilers (n=8) from different commercial farms of Jessore, Bangladesh. Broiler cloacal swabs (n=8) were collected by inserting the sterile swab stick in the cloacae of broiler and inoculated into peptone water for enrichment for 24 hours at 37°C. Enriched culture was streaked onto Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar for isolation of pure bacterial culture. Then pure bacterial culture was streaked onto Mac-Conkey (MC) agar to identify Gram negative bacteria. Cultural method, Gram staining, biochemical reaction and polymerase chain reaction technique were used to identify the bacteria. The antibiogram profiles of bacteria were investigated against 6 commonly used antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Ampicillin, Colistinsulphate, Erythromycin, Neomycin and Penicillin) by disc diffusion method. Five E. coli isolates were identified and Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) was detected by amplifying 372-bp fragment of Stx2 gene in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The prevalence of the Shiga toxin generating E. coli (STEC) in broiler cloacal swab was 62.5%. All isolates (100%) were resistant to Ampicillin, Colistinsulphate, Erythromycin, Neomycin and Penicillin and sensitive to Ciprofloxacin. The findings of this research strongly imply that broiler harbor multidrug resistant and Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) which may cause public health problem if enter into human food chain.

Bacterial contamination of medical doctors’ white coats as contributing factor to hospital acquired infections

This study was carried out to determine the degree of contamination by bacterial agents on the white coats in hospital setting. Multistage method was used to select respondents across cadre, sex and department for the questionnaire. Cuffs, sleeve and mouths of pocket of doctors’ white coats were swabbed using wet sterile swab stick. The swabs were analyzed using standard procedure for bacterial contamination. The study revealed that 77.7% of the coats were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (45.1%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (26.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.7%) and Enterococcus faecalis (2.4%). White coats of male resident doctors were more contaminated than that of the female resident doctors, while white coats of doctors from the Department of Surgery had the highest degree of contamination than other Departments. There was a significant difference between the age of white coats, usage, frequency of washing and number of white coats per doctor (P 0.05). Conclusively, doctors’ white coats were highly contaminated with pathogenic aerobic bacteria. Proper maintenance and handling practices of the white coats are precautions to be taken in order to minimize the degree of bacterial contamination and to prevent cross contamination of healthcare associated infection pathogens in hospital setting. Keywords : Medical doctors, White coats, Bacteria, Hospital, Infection, Healthcare.

A comparative study on the effect of Massularia acuminata and mouthwash against isolates from the oral cavity

Aim: This research determines the antimicrobial activity of 'PakoIjebu' chewing stick (Massularia acuminata) and some common mouthwashes (Hexedene®, Brett®, and Listerine®) against some isolates of the oral cavity.Settings and Design: The samples were obtained by the use of sterile swab stick to isolate the microorganisms (Streptococcus oralis, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus species, Klebsiella species, Neissera sicca, Micrococcus species, Muccor, Aspergillus flavus and Giosporium) from the oral cavity of healthy undergraduate students of Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria using standard microbiological techniques. The sensitivity test, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined.Results: The aqueous and ethanol extract of Massularia acuminata had an MIC of 25 mg/mL which was similar to those of commercially available mouth wash analyzed in the study. The ethanol extract of Massularia acuminata was bactericidal against Lactobacilus species, Streptococcus oralis and Neissera sicca at a concentration of 50 mg/mL which suggests that the extract is more effective compared to the tested mouth wash. Among the mouth wash, only Listerine was bactericidal against Neissera sicca at an MBC of 50 mg/mL. Conclusion: This study confirmed the age long belief that those who use Massularia acuminate regularly for their oral care has a low rate of oral infections; therefore, extract of Massularia acuminata could be incorporated into tooth paste or used as mouth wash for periodontal infections.

Microbiological Quality of Household Refrigerators in Three Cities South-West of Nigeria

Household refrigerators are a potential source of pathogen contamination for foods leading to food spoilage and food borne diseases. This study was carried out to examine the consumers’ knowledge and hygiene status of household refrigerators in Ibadan, Lagos and Abeokuta. One hundred and eighty households were randomly selected. Questionnaires covering social demographic characteristics, refrigerator quality and maintenance practices, householders’ knowledge about food borne diseases, and frequency of electricity supply were administered. The interior of each refrigerator was swabbed using a sterile swab stick that had been pre-soaked in peptone diluent. Each sample collected was plated out on four different culture media viz. Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Mannitol Salt agar and Potato Dextrose agar. Results showed that majority of the householders had good knowledge of food borne disease, powered their refrigerators with generators and have some levels of education. Some refrigerators were completely free from contamination (neither bacteria nor fungi was detected) while others were found to be contaminated. Total viable count of bacteria ranged between 0 and 14.1 × 106 cfu/ml while fungi count ranged from 0 to 6.8× 106 cfu/ml. Bacteria and fungi isolated from the refrigerators were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp. and Shigella spp., Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. fumigatus, Saccharomyces cerevisae and Rhizopus spp. Findings show the presence of microorganisms which can cause food spoilage and food borne diseases. Educational programmes are needed to improve the refrigeration practices and the issue of regular supply of electricity is paramount in the hygiene of refrigerators.

Incidence of bacterial colonization in the oropharynx of patients with ear, nose and throat infections

Background: The ear, nose and throat infections are one of the common diseases for which patients often visit the primary care physicians. The oropharynx is a unique region of the human body colonised heavily by normal bacterial flora. Aim & Objective: The present study has been undertaken to find the incidence of bacterial colonization in the oropharynx of patients with ear, nose and throat infections. Materials and Methods: Forty patients in the age group of 5-75 yrs presenting to the ENT department with symptoms and signs suggestive of ear, nose, or throat infections were included in the study. Throat swabs in duplicate were taken using sterile swab stick and streaked onto a standard commercial sheep blood agar plate and MacConkey agar plate and were incubated at 37OC. After 14 to 24 h of incubation, the plates were examined for the growth of bacterial colonies. The bacteria isolated were identified by standard biochemical tests. Results: The viridans streptococcus is seen colonised in almost all the patients. Streptococcus pyogenes has been isolated from only one patient with acute pharyngitis. 3 patients showed the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Among this, two patients suffered from acute pharyngitis and one from acute otitis media. A patient with chronic suppurative otitis media with acute pharyngitis showed the presence of Proteus vulgaris. Conclusion: The results showed that the oropharynx remains same harbouring only the normal flora indicating that ENT infections in most of the cases are due to either viral or fungal. It can also be concluded that the presence of abundant normal flora in oropharynx should have inhibitory effect on the colonisation pathogenic bacteria.

Infection Risk from Surgeons' Eyeglasses

To assess bacterial contamination of 20 eyeglasses from surgeons. 40 samples were taken from the nose pad (n=20) and earpiece (n=20) of 20 eyeglasses from orthopaedic surgeons using a sterile swab stick soaked in sterile distilled water. Swabs were incubated and inoculated onto 3 plates: Staphylococcus/Streptococcus agar plate, Mannitol salt plate, and Chromogenic agar plate. Organisms isolated were identified. Of 20 eyeglasses, 19 were contaminated with Staphylococcus epidermidis (3 of them additionally grew S haemolyticus or S xylosus) and the remaining one grew S aureus . Eyeglasses are a source of surgical infection. Contamination can be caused by direct contact of the eyeglasses to the wound and indirect contact by the surgeon's fingers, splashes from saline irrigation, and through air. Therefore, disinfection should be performed for eyeglasses of surgeons. The use of surgical visor masks or filtered exhaust helmets (space suits) are alternatives.