Microbial variations in sputum cultures among hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia: differences in sputum microbiota between asthma and COPD patients

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess differences in the sputum microbiota of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients with either COPD or asthma, specifically focusing on a patient population in Turkey. Methods: This retrospective study included hospitalized patients > 18 years of age with a diagnosis of pneumonia between January of 2021 and January of 2023. Participants were recruited from two hospitals, and three patient groups were considered: CAP patients with asthma, CAP patients with COPD, and CAP patients without COPD or asthma. Results: A total of 246 patients with CAP were included in the study, 184 (74.8%) and 62 (25.2%) being males and females, with a mean age of 66 ± 14 years. Among the participants, 52.9% had COPD, 14.2% had asthma, and 32.9% had CAP but no COPD or asthma. Upon analysis of sputum cultures, positive sputum culture growth was observed in 52.9% of patients. The most commonly isolated microorganisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 40), Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 20), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 16), and Moraxella catarrhalis (n = 8). CAP patients with COPD were more likely to have a positive sputum culture (p = 0.038), a history of antibiotic use within the past three months (p = 0.03), utilization of long-term home oxygen therapy (p < 0.001), and use of noninvasive ventilation (p = 0.001) when compared with the other patient groups. Additionally, CAP patients with COPD had a higher CURB-65 score when compared with CAP patients with asthma (p = 0.004). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CAP patients with COPD tend to have more severe presentations, while CAP patients with asthma show varied microbial profiles, underscoring the need for patient-specific management strategies in CAP.

Prevalence of fumonisin-producing fungi in maize (Zea mays) obtained from markets in the southern region of Nigeria

Aims@#This study was aimed at detecting the presence and quantity of fumonisins in maize sold in different markets in southern Nigeria, thereby igniting our awareness of the dangers in their patronage. @*Methodology and results @#The incidence of potential mycotoxin producers was determined on samples (n=60) of maize collected randomly from three different markets, each in six states in Southern Nigeria. The fungi were cultured using the direct plating method on potato dextrose agar and dichloran rose bengal chloramphenicol agar. Pure cultures (n=90) obtained were tentatively identified using cultural and morphological characteristics. Molecular identification was carried out by obtaining fungal DNA and the amplified DNA. Sequences of DNA were blasted against the nucleotide database of NCBI to identity the isolates. The fungal isolates identified belong to 10 genera, with Aspergillus and Fusarium had the highest number of occurrences, followed by Trichoderma. The highest amount of fumonisin (13.45 ppm) was produced by Fusarium verticilloides strain KN11 and the least amount of fumonisin (0.01 ppm) was produced by F. venenatum strain MNF5. Maize samples were found to contain varying degrees of fumonisin, with isolates from Cross River Statehaving the highest percentage. @*Conclusion, significance and impact of study: @#The contamination of food by fumonisin is a severe threat to disease outbreaks worldwide. Results highlight a food safety risk that the government need to monitor and educate consumers.More emphasis should be given to the application of nanotechnology and genetic engineering in developing resistant varieties of crops to ensure the safety and quality of food for future generations.

Levels, method choice and predictors of contraceptive use among males in southern Africa

This study assessed the relative risk of using male and partner contraceptive methods relative to non-use, identified the types of methods preferred by participants, and assessed the associated determinants of the use of male and partner methods. It used secondary data from the Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Participants were sexually active men aged 15­54. The study found that 32% of respondents did not utilize any method, while 36% and 32% used partner and male methods, respectively. The male method was more prevalent among men who had two or more sexual partners and among urban dwellers, while the partner method was predominant among those with less than two children and those who were indifferent about whether contraception is a woman's business. The study recommends that family planning programs should pay attention to male contraceptive needs and concerns. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[6]:27-35).

Covariates of multiple sexual partnerships among sexually active men in Lesotho

Multiple sexual partnerships (MSP) have been identified as the main reason for the high rate of HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, including Lesotho. The aim of this paper is to identify the social and economic variables associated with MSP among men in Lesotho. The study used data from 2009 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey. A sample of 2335 males in the age group 15­44 was used. Participants qualified if they were sexually active during the past year before the survey. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse the data. Results indicated that 29% of the respondents had engaged in sexual intercourse with multiple partners in the past year. Lower age at sexual debut, employment; having ever moved from home in the past year; believing that men have the right to have sex with other women; believing that beating a woman is justified if she argues with husband and having sex with casual partner were associated with an increased likelihood of MSP.On the other hand, coming from household led by a woman reduced the odds ratio. The study recommends that promotion of awareness programmes on MSP coupled with economic empowerment of women should be intensified in Lesotho

The development of an emergency sepsis care algorithm in Botswana

Introduction :Sepsis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in populations with a high prevalence of HIV; but the full package of early goal directed therapy (EGDT) for sepsis is not feasible in most low and middle-income countries. The objective was to develop emergency adult sepsis care guidelines for Botswana appropriate to available resources and local epidemiology in referral hospitals and in lower levels of care. Methods : The individual components of guidelines from the Surviving Sepsis Campaign were compared with available resources for their applicability in a tertiary referral hospital in Botswana. Antibiotics were chosen based on the hospital antibiogram; national antibiotic guidelines; and the cost and availability of antibiotics. The preliminary algorithm was presented to emergency centre medical officers in a referral hospital for feasibility and acceptability of implementation. The referral hospital guideline was further modified as part of a National Guidelines Project for suitability to all levels of care: Results :An acceptable and feasible sepsis algorithm was developed and implemented in a referral hospital in Botswana in accordance with the established hospital process. In turn; it served as the basis for the development of a national guideline. Discussion The principles of EGDT are adaptable to Botswana; and are likely to be adaptable to a variety of low- and middle-income countries on the basis of local resources and epidemiology. Further research is needed to study adherence and outcome related to the modified guidelines