Bacteriological profile, antibiotic susceptibility and factors associated with neonatal Septicaemia at Kilembe mines hospital, Kasese District Western Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal septicaemia is one of the most common leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. It is estimated to affect more than 30 million people worldwide annually, potentially leading to 6 million deaths. OBJECTIVE(S): To determine the prevalence, bacteriological profile, antibiotic susceptibility and factors associated with neonatal septicaemia among neonates suspected to sepsis at Kilembe mines hospital. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study, where purposive sampling technique was used and blood was drawn from 122 neonates suspected to sepsis attending Kilembe Mines Hospital during the period (July to November 2020). Specimens were inoculated in Brain heart infusion broth, transported to Fortportal Regional Referral Hospital, plated daily up to 7 days on blood, chocolate, MacConkey agar and incubated in aerobic and 5% carbondioxide. Pure colonies were identified by Gram stain, biochemical tests and antibiotic sensitivities obtained by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Associations were tested using Chi square with Fisher's exact or Yates correction tests where necessary and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Stata (version 14) used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Blood cultures were positive in 59.0% cases with 55.5% male and 44.4% female. EOS was present in 56.9% and LOS 43.1% of the cases. Gram negative (56.9%) organisms were most implicated with neonatal septicaemia than Gram positives ones (43.1%). Gram positive organisms exhibited better susceptibility to amikacin, linezolid and vancomycin but more resistant to ampicillin and gentamicin. Of the aminoglycosides, amikacin exhibited a verge over netilmicin and gentamicin against Gram negative isolates. Risk factors of neonatal septicaemia were mother's age of ≥25 years, employed mothers, tertiary-level of education, SVD, ANC attendance of ≥4 times, UTI during pregnancy, PROMS, foul Smelling liquor, urban residence, neonatal birth weight of ≥2500 g, Apgar score 1st and 5th min ≥6 and resuscitation. CONCLUSION: Multi-drug resistant organisms were isolated. Therefore caution is required in selection of antibiotic therapy and avoid empirical treatment.

Distribution and antifungal susceptibility profile of oropharyngeal Candida species isolated from people living with HIV in the era of universal test and treat policy in Uganda.

Background: Despite the increased frequency of oropharyngeal candidiasis among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), its management is no longer effective due to empirical treatment and emergence of antifungal resistance (AFR). This study sought to investigate the prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis and assess the antifungal susceptibility profile of oropharyngeal Candida species isolated from people living with human immunodeficiency virus. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between oropharyngeal candidiasis and CD4 T cell as well as viral load counts. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from April to October 2023 in which 384 people living with HIV underwent clinical examination for oral lesions. Oropharyngeal swabs were collected and cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose agar to isolate Candida species which were identified using the matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Additionally, the antifungal susceptibility profile of Candida isolates to six antifungal drugs was determined using VITEK® (Marcy-l'Étoile, France) compact system. Data on viral load were retrieved from records, and CD4 T cell count test was performed using Becton Dickinson Biosciences fluorescent antibody cell sorter presto. Results: The prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis was 7.6%. Oropharyngeal candidiasis was significantly associated with low CD4 T cell count and high viral load. A total of 35 isolates were obtained out of which Candida albicans comprised of 20 (57.1%) while C. tropicalis and C. glabrata comprised 4 (11.4%) each. C. parapsilosis, C. dubliniensis and C. krusei accounted for 2 (5.7%) each. Additionally, 7 (20%) isolates were resistant to fluconazole, 1 (2.9%) to flucytocine and 0.2 (5.7%) isolates were intermediate to caspofungin. However, specific specie isolates like C. albicans showed 20% (4/20), C. glabrata 50% (2/4) and C. krusei 50% (1/2) resistance to fluconazole. Additionally, C. krusei showed 50% resistance to flucytosine. Conclusion: The prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) among people living with HIV was low, and there was a significant association between OPC and CD4 T cell count as well as viral load. C. albicans was the most frequently isolated oropharyngeal Candida species. C. glabrata and C. krusei exhibited the highest AFR among the non-albicans Candida species. The highest resistance was demonstrated to fluconazole.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Virulence Attributes of Oropharyngeal Candida Species Isolated from People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus with Oropharyngeal Candidiasis on Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: Oropharyngeal Candida species are part commensal microflora in the the oral cavity of health individuals. Commensal Candida species can become opportunist and transition to pathogenic causes of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in individuals with impaired immunity through ecological cues and expression of virulence factors. Limited studies have evaluated virulence attributes of oropharyngeal Candida species among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) with OPC on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda. Objective: Evaluation of the Virulence Attributes of Oropharyngeal Candida Species Isolated from People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus with Oropharyngeal Candidiasis on Antiretroviral Therapy. Methods: Thirty-five (35) Candida isolates from PLHIV with OPC on ART were retrieved from sample repository and evaluated for phospholipase activity using the egg yolk agar method, proteinase activity using the bovine serum albumin agar method, hemolysin activity using the blood agar plate method, esterase activity using the Tween 80 opacity test medium method, coagulase activity using the classical tube method and biofilm formation using the microtiter plate assay method in vitro. Results: Phospholipase and proteinase activities were detected in 33/35 (94.3%) and 31/35 (88.6%) of the strains, respectively. Up to 25/35 (71.4%) of the strains exhibited biofilm formation while esterase activity was demonstrated in 23/35 (65.7%) of the strains. Fewer isolates 21/35 (60%) of the strains produced hemolysin and coagulase production was the least virulence activity detected in 18/35 (51.4%). Conclusion: Phospholipase and proteinase activities were the strongest virulence attributes of oropharyngeal Candida species.