ABSTRACT
A study was conducted over a 1-year period [1st August, 2002-31st July, 2003] during which throat swabs were taken aseptically from 294 patients [aged between 0-70 years] diagnosed for sore throat infection [from the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital]. The different bacterial pathogens associated with sore throat infection, their seasonal variation, and possible association with gender and age, were determined. Also their susceptibility was determined towards antibiotics. Confirmation of bacterial sore throat infection was carried out in 115 [39.12%] patients of the 294 patients examined. Five different types of bacterial pathogens were isolated from the throats of the subjects viz. Streptococcus pneumoniae, 51 [44.35%], Streptococcus pyogenes, 21 [18.26%] Staphylococcus aureus 3 [26.95%], Klebsiella pneumoniae 8 [6.96%] and Eschericfiia coli 4 [3.48%]. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated organism. The months of October and November had the highest number of cases. The results also showed a significant difference in infection rate between two sexes, with females having 74 [64.35%] and males 41 [35.65%] at p >/= 0.05. Infection was also most prevalent among age group 21-30 years [35.65%] in both hospitals. The infection rate decreased with increasing age. Results of Antibiotic sensitivity test indicate that Augmentin has the widest spectrum of activity against bacterial etiological agents of sore throat in Kano, followed by Erythromycin, Gentamycin and Chloramphenicol
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Pharyngitis/diagnosis , Pharyngitis/drug therapy , Pharyngitis/etiology , Pharyngitis/epidemiology , Bacteriology , Streptococcus pneumoniae/drug effects , Streptococcus pneumoniae/pathogenicity , Streptococcus pneumoniae/drug effects , Streptococcus pneumoniae/pathogenicity , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity , Klebsiella pneumoniae/drug effects , Klebsiella pneumoniae/pathogenicity , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Escherichia coli/pathogenicity , Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination , Erythromycin , Gentamicins , ChloramphenicolABSTRACT
The prevalence of antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV] and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in blood donors in this hospital has not been determined. The burden of the disease in the general population cannot be overemphasized. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence to HIV and HBsAg antibodies in asymptomatic blood donors in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. A total number of 7,497 blood donors aged 18 to 58 years were studied, respectively, from July 1996 to December 2001. The rate of seropositivity is documented. 225 blood donors were seropositive for antibodies to HIV [3.0%] with prevalence of 3.0, while 252 of the donors [3.36%] were seropositive to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen [HBsAg]. The trend of HIV seroprevalence rose from 2.0 in 1996 to 3.0 in the year 2001. This study does not only provide evidence of prevalence of HIV and HBV infection in blood donors it also provides preliminary evidence of the prevalence of asymptomatic Hepatitis B Virus and HIV infection in Kano