Multidrug-resistant surgical site infections in a humanitarian surgery project.

The epidemiology of surgical site infections (SSIs) in surgical programmes in sub-Saharan Africa is inadequately described. We reviewed deep and organ-space SSIs occurring within a trauma project that had a high-quality microbiology partnership and active follow-up. Included patients underwent orthopaedic surgery in Teme Hospital (Port Harcourt, Nigeria) for trauma and subsequently developed a SSI requiring debridement and microbiological sampling. Data were collected from structured chart reviews and programmatic databases for 103 patients with suspected SSI [79% male, median age 30 years, interquartile range (IQR) 24-37]. SSIs were commonly detected post-discharge with 58% presenting >28 days after surgery. The most common pathogens were: Staphylococcus aureus (34%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16%) and Enterobacter cloacae (11%). Thirty-three (32%) of infections were caused by a multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen, including 15 patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Antibiotics were initiated empirically for 43% of patients and after culture and sensitivity report in 32%. The median number of additional surgeries performed in patients with SSI was 5 (IQR 2-6), one patient died (1%), and amputation was performed or recommended in three patients. Our findings suggest the need for active long-term monitoring of SSIs, particularly those associated with MDR organisms, resulting in increased costs for readmission surgery and treatment with late-generation antibiotics.

PERCEPTION OF QUALITY CONTROL BY PERSONNEL IN DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY FACILITIES IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND: The perception of quality control (QC) implementation by personnel in diagnostic radiology facilities can affect service delivery and deprive the facilities of the benefits associated with QC implementation. The responses by personnel working in diagnostic radiology facilities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, concerning the implementation of quality control in diagnostic radiology has been assessed in order to ascertain their perception of QC implementation. METHOD: A total of thirty eight (38) radiology personnel from twenty radiology facilities took part in the study that was conducted using a twenty item questionnaire that was initially tested for reliability. RESULT: Responses from the surveyed personnel showed a positive perception for some QC items and a seeming lack of interest in some other items. This situation may be due to the perceived lack of interest and lack of cooperation from management of their facilities. The personnel also felt that they did not have sufficient training to implement QC and that QC results were difficult to analyse.

Intra-cardiac masses in adults: a review of echocardiogram records at two echocardiographic laboratories in Enugu, South-East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is an excellent initial diagnostic technique used to evaluate and diagnose cardiac masses, even though transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides superior image resolution and better visualization of cardiac masses, especially in patients with suboptimal transthoracic echocardiographic studies. TTE is the clinical procedure of choice for identification of left ventricular thrombi. TTE has greater than 90% sensitivity and greater than 85% specificity for detection of left ventricular thrombi and is probably superior to the sensitivity and specificity of TEE, especially for apical thrombi. AIMS: The study aimed to identify the common types of cardiac masses and their commonest locations in the heart. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We did a retrospective review of our echocardiogram reports from May 2003 to July 2012 to identify the frequency of intra-cardiac masses in adults, as well as the gender distribution and commonest location of these masses. RESULTS: There were 2,814 echo examinations in adults over this period, comprising 1,661 males (59.1%) and 1,153 females (40.9%). Intra-cardiac masses were found in 20 of these patients representing 0.7% of the study population. Thrombi were the commonest masses noted in our study, and there were more masses in the atria than in the ventricles. The left heart chambers also had more masses than the right heart chambers. There was no sex difference in the frequency of cardiac masses. CONCLUSION: Intra-cardiac masses are rare, and transthoracic echocardiography is still valuable in the diagnosis and initial characterization of cardiac masses.

Cardiac arrhythmias in recently diagnosed hypertensive patients at first presentation: an electrocardiographic-based study.

Various forms of cardiac arrhythmias have been documented in hypertensive subjects, and hypertension is an important risk factor for the development of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Electrocardiography at rest easily documents significant arrhythmias in patients, and this study was carried out to determine the types and frequency of arrhythmias in hypertensive subjects at first presentation in the Hypertension Clinics of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, Nigeria. The study was hospitalbased and retrospective in nature. The resting 12lead ECG reports of 346 consecutive hypertensive subjects seen at the Hypertension clinics of the UNTH Enugu over a 14 month period were retrieved from the case files and studied. Other information obtained from the case files included the age and gender of the subjects. The mean age of the subjects was 57.3 years. Ninety-five of the subjects had arrhythmias representing 27% of the study population, out of which fifty-five were males (57.9%) and forty were females (42.1%). However 26.9% of all the male subjects had arrhythmias while 28.2% of all the females had arrhythmias. Multiple ventricular ectopics, sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia and atrial fibrillation were the most prevalent arrhythmias. This study showed that a significant proportion of hypertensive subjects present initially with significant rhythm disturbances.

One year echocardiographic study of rheumatic heart disease at Enugu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic heart disease is one of the commonest causes of heart disease in Nigeria. Previous studies on rheumatic heart disease in Nigeria were either clinical or retrospective echocardiographic studies. This study was aimed at determining the burden of chronic rheumatic mitral valve disease, pattern of valvular involvement, severity and associated valvular lesions, using echocardiography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May, 2004 and April 2005, patients with symptomatic rheumatic heart disease, seen in the cardiac clinics of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, were recruited for the study. The patients were investigated non-invasively with M-mode, Two-dimensional, Pulsed wave, Continuous wave and colour flow Doppler echocardiographic techniques in order to assess the mitral and other intracardiac valves for evidence of rheumatic heart disease. RESULTS: There were a total of 55 patients, 39 (70.9%) females and 16 (29.1%) males with a mean age of 29.34 +/- 11.57 years. Mitral valve disease was found in 54 (98.2%) and isolated aortic valve disease in 1 (1.8%) of cases. Mitral regurgitation occurred in 64.8%, mixed mitral valve disease in 25.9% and pure mitral stenosis in 9.3%. Mitral valve disease was associated with aortic valve disease in 33.3%, with tricuspid valve disease in 24.1% and with functional pulmonary incompetence in 9.3% of cases. CONCLUSION: Rheumatic heart disease in Nigeria is essentially a disease of the mitral valve as seen elsewhere in the world. Echocardiography should be done routinely for patients with rheumatic heart disease to facilitate accurate diagnosis and definitive treatment.

Seasonal variation in admission for heart failure, hypertension and stroke in Uyo, South-Eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Seasonal variation in hospitalization for cardiovascular disease has been described in the temperate regions of the world as well as in Northern Nigeria. Increase admission rates during the cold seasons have been reported in these areas. No studies have been done in Southern Nigeria. This study is thus aimed at describing the seasonal variation in admissions for heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension and hypertension related-stroke in Southern Nigeria. METHODS: Hospital records of patients admitted to the medical wards of the University of Uyo Hospital (UUTH) with heart failure of all causes, uncontrolled hypertension and hypertension-related stroke (Cerebrovascular accident) between January 1998 and December 2001 were used. Epi-info 2002 software was used to analyze data. RESULTS: Of the 3500 patients admitted during the study period 542 (15.3%) were on account of heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension and hypertension related cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The mean age of patients was 52 +/- 12.8 years. The average monthly admission was eleven (11). More admissions were recorded in the rainy (cold) season than in the dry (hot) season. The observed difference was however statistically significant only for heart failure and uncontrolled hyper tension (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Admissions for heart failure and uncontrolled hypertension are therefore more during the wet (cold) season in southern Nigeria. This may be attributed to the high default rate to follow up visit in this season when agricultural activity is intense and less attention given to medical care. This leads to poor compliance to medications and clinical deterioration. The already bad road network both in rural and urban centers also become worse at this time making access to medical care difficult. Facilities and measures should thus be put in place to provide adequate medical care for these patients during that period of the year.

Association of microalbuminuria with left ventricular dysfunction in Nigerian normotensive type 2 diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and microalbuminuria is frequently associated with DM. This study aimed to compare LV function among normotensive type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients with normoalbuminuria, those with microalbuminuria, and healthy controls. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the diabetes and cardiology clinics of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria, from January 2013 to March 2014. Microalbuminuria was tested for using Micral test strips, and echocardiography-derived indices of LV function were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: Sixty-three normoalbuminuric, 71 microalbuminuric T2DM patients and 59 healthy controls were recruited. Mean age of participants was 50 ± 8 years and the three groups were age and gender matched (p = 0.23, p = 0.36, respectively). LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) showed a stepwise increase from the healthy controls to the normoalbuminuric to the microalbuminuric T2DM patients (16.9 vs 61.9 vs 78.9%, respectively) (p < 0.001), while E/A ratio and fractional shortening showed a significant stepwise decrease (both p < 0.001). LV systolic dysfunction was rare among the three groups. Microalbuminuria showed a strong direct association with LVDD (OR 3.58, 95% CI: 1.99-6.82, p < 0.001). Age remained independently associated with LVDD (OR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.17, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: LV diastolic function was altered in Nigerian normotensive T2DM patients, and the presence of microalbuminuria with DM had additional effects on this abnormality. Early screening for DM and microalbuminuria could identify individuals with high cardiovascular risk and possibly abnormal LV function.

Deposition of excess amount of natural U from the atmosphere.

The concentration of 238U in rain and snow collected at Fayetteville (36 degrees N, 94 degrees W), AR, showed a marked increase during the summer months of 1980; and also during spring 1981, while Mount St. Helens remained active. This observed increase of 238U was due to the fallout of natural U from the eruption of Mount St. Helens. Based on the results from the analysis of rain and snow samples for the period March 1980-October 1982, the amount of 238U brought down by the rain is estimated to be 6.55 X 10(3) Ci.

Atrial septal defects presenting initially in adulthood: patterns of clinical presentation in enugu, South-East Nigeria.

This paper aimed to evaluate the patterns of clinical presentation of adults with atrial septal defects (ASDs) who were diagnosed from transthoracic echocardiographic examination at the echocardiographic laboratory of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria, from February 2002 to June 2010. 2251 new echocardiogram scans, with additional 373 repeat scans, were done within the period. 32 adults had ASDs (1.3%), made up of 9 males and 23 females. Secundum ASD constituted 75% while dyspnoea on exertion was the commonest symptom. Congestive cardiac failure was the clinical syndrome most commonly encountered, and most patients presented in the third decade. This paper demonstrated that ASDs are common congenital heart diseases in adult Nigerians, and that they are important causes of congestive heart failure. All adults with congestive heart failure must be referred for echocardiography for early identification of causes like ASDs, which are often forgotten, before the development of irreversible changes in the lungs.

Intra-Cardiac Masses in Adults: A Review of Echocardiogram Records at Two Echocardiographic Laboratories in Enugu; South-East Nigeria

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is an excellent initial diagnostic technique used to evaluate and diagnose cardiac masses; even though transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides superior image resolution and better visualization of cardiac masses; especially in patients with suboptimal transthoracic echocardiographic studies. TTE is the clinical procedure of choice for identification of left ventricular thrombi. TTE has greater than 90 sensitivity and greater than 85 specificity for detection of left ventricular thrombi and is probably superior to the sensitivity and specificity of TEE; especially for apical thrombi.Aims: The study aimed to identify the common types of cardiac masses and their commonest locations in the heart.Materials and Methods: We did a retrospective review of our echocardiogram reports from May 2003 to July 2012 to identify the frequency of intra-cardiac masses in adults; as well as the gender distribution and commonest location of these masses.Results: There were 2;814 echo examinations in adults over this period; comprising 1;661 males (59.1) and 1;153 females (40.9). Intra-cardiac masses were found in 20 of these patients representing 0.7 of the study population. Thrombi were the commonest masses noted in our study; and there were more masses in the atria than in the ventricles. The left heart chambers also had more masses than the right heart chambers. There was no sex difference in the frequency of cardiac masses.Conclusion: Intra-cardiac masses are rare; and transthoracic echocardiography is still valuable in the diagnosis and initial characterization of cardiac masses

Nutrient and antinutrient composition of three varieties of Piper species.

The proximate composition of three varieties of Piper guineense (Odusa-Ibibio/Efik) viz. 'Uyat Odusa' (cultivated and peppery), 'Eting-keni Ikot' (wild forest variety) and 'Eting-keni mben inyang' (wild, riverine variety), were determined using available standard methods. Also determined were mineral, antinutrient and ascorbate levels. The cultivated pepperic variety had the highest content of crude protein and moisture (18.9% and 97% respectively) while the wild, riverine variety had the highest content of ether extract, carbohydrate and calories (7.79%, 63.38% and 398 cals respectively). The cultivated variety had appreciable amounts of phosphorus (1.12 mg/100 g), potassium (1.2 mg/100 g), sodium (0.24 mg/100 g), zinc (0.18 mg/100 g), and copper (0.18 mg/100 g) while the forest variety contained more of calcium (12.38 mg/100 g), magnesium (1.21 mg/100 g) and iron (0.85 mg/100 g). The wild riverine variety appeared to have the least mineral content but had the highest ascorbate level of 173.4 mg/100 g. Of four antinutrients assayed, the cultivated pepperic one had the least quantities while the forest variety was highest in hydrocyanic acid (85.8 mg/100 g) and glucosinolates (0.20 mg/100 g). The wild riverine variety had the highest level of total oxalate (165.0 mg/100 g). These quantities are however far below documented toxic levels.

Seasonal variation in admission for heart failure, hypertension and stroke in Uyo, south-eastern Nigeria

Background:Seasonal variation in hospitalization for cardiovascular disease has been described in thetemperate regions of the world as well as in Northern Nigeria. Increase admission rates during the coldseasons have been reported in these areas. No studies have been done in Southern Nigeria. This studyis thus aimed at describing the seasonal variation in admissions for heart failure, uncontrolledhypertension and hypertension related-stroke in Southern Nigeria.Methods:Hospital records of patients admitted to the medical wards of the University of Uyo Hospital(UUTH) with heart failure of all causes, uncontrolled hypertension and hypertension­related stroke(Cerebrovascular accident) between January 1998 and December 2001 were used. Epi-Info 2002software was used to analyze data.Results:Of the 3500 patients admitted during the study period 542 (15.3%) were on account of heartfailure, uncontrolled hypertension and hypertension related cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The meanage of patients was 52±12.8 years. The average monthly admission was eleven (11). More admissionswere recorded in the rainy (cold) season than in the dry (hot) season. The observed difference washowever statistically significant only for heart failure and uncontrolled hypertension (P<.05).Conclusion:Admissions for heart failure and uncontrolled hypertension are therefore more during thewet (cold) season in southern Nigeria. This may be attributed to the high default rate to follow up visitin this season when agriculturalactivity is intense and less attention given to medical care. This leads topoor compliance to medications and clinical deterioration. The already bad road network both in ruraland urban centers also become worse at this time making access to medical care difficult. Facilities andmeasures should thus be put in place to provide adequate medical care for these patients during thatperiod of the yea