Effect of Ethiopian multiflora honey on fluconazole-resistant Candida species isolated from the oral cavity of AIDS patients.

This study aimed to determine the antifungal effect of Ethiopian multiflora honey against Candida species isolated from the oral cavity of AIDS patients. Oral rinses were obtained from 13 AIDS patients and cultured on CHROMagar plates at 37°C for 48 hours. Candida species were identified by microbiological and molecular techniques. The antifungal effect of the honey sample on Candida was investigated by an agar dilution technique. Susceptibility of the Candida species to fluconazole was tested following a semi-modified microdilution method. Growth of both fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant Candida species was inhibited with a minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 35-40% (v/v) honey. The MFC of different Candida species was not significantly different (P > 0.05). From the total of 25 Candida isolates tested for susceptibility, 11 (44%), eight (32%) and six (24%) of the isolates were sensitive (minimum inhibitory concentrations [MICs] < 8 µg/mL), susceptible (dose-dependent: MICs 16-32 µg/mL) and resistant (MICs > 64 µg/mL) to fluconazole, respectively. Ethiopian multiflora honey has antifungal activity against fluconazole-resistant Candida species isolated from the oral cavity of AIDS patients. This supports the existing folkloric practice of using honey to treat oral lesions. Nevertheless, identification of the bioactive agents in honey, their clinical evaluation and pharmacological standardization are crucial.

Salmonella newport: outbreak of food poisoning among college students due to contaminated undercooked eggs.

A sudden outbreak of food poisoning occurred between December 31, 1991 and January 4, 1992 among students of the Gondar College of Medical Sciences. Out of 344 students, 79 (23%) had manifest disease. Salmonella newport was isolated from the stool of six students and three food handlers. The mean incubation period for the excretors was 48 hours. Main symptoms of those evaluated by physician were mild diarrhoea (86%) and abdominal cramps (71.4%). The only meal shared by all was a breakfast of unpeeled undercooked eggs served after 14 hours of storage at room temperature.

Salmonella newport: outbreak of food poisoning among college students due to contaminated undercooked eggs

A sudden outbreak of food poisoning occurred between December 31; 1991 and January 4; 1992 among students of the Gondar College of Medical Sciences. Out of 344 students; 79 (23 percent) had manifest disease. Salmonella newport was isolated from the stool of six students and three food handlers. The mean incubation period for the excretors was 48 hours. Main symptoms of those evaluated by physician were mild diarrhea (86 percent) and abdominal cramps (71.4 percent). The only meal shared by all was a breakfast of unpeeled undercooked eggs served after 14 hours of storage at room temperature

Frequency of isolation of Cryptosporidium oocysts in Ethiopian children with acute diarrhoeal disease.

Stool specimens from one hundred children with acute diarrhoeal disease seen at the Gondar College of Medical Sciences Hospital, north-western Ethiopia were prospectively screened for the presence of oocysts of Cryptosporidium species. The study was conducted between June 1989 and January 1990. Nine out of one hundred specimens were positive for oocysts of Cryptosporidium. This study has demonstrated the presence of this parasite in the study region. A well desgned case control study is recommended to elucidate its clinical manifestations and association with malnutrition.

PIP: Between June 1989 and January 1990 in Ethiopia, health workers collected 2 gm diarrhea samples from 100 patients, 2-48 months old, at the oral rehydration unit of the Gondar College Medical Sciences Hospital to test for the presence of Cryptosporidium species' oocysts. Laboratory personnel used Loeffler's alkaline methylene-blue solution to isolate oocysts in 9 children. 6 of these children were 12 months old. None of the children with Cryptosporidium oocysts exhibited signs of severe protein energy malnutrition, but 31 other children did exhibit these signs. The presence of oocysts in the 9 children did not necessarily indicate that Cryptosporidium species were the only causes of their acute diarrhea. The 9% isolation rate may be an underestimate, because Baxby and Blonde have demonstrated that safranin-methylene blue yields a better Cryptosporidium oocyst isolation rate than does Loeffler's alkaline methylene-blue. A well-designed study is needed to determine the true prevalence of cryptosporidiosis, to describe its clinical profile, and to define its association with other diarrhea-causing enteropathogens and its association with malnutrition.

Plasmid--mediated drug resistance in enterobacteriaceae isolated at Gondar Hospital.

Thirteen randomly selected multiresistant strains of E. coli, Klebsiella species and providencia stuartii, isolated from Gondar Hospital patients, were investigated for the presence of transferable drug resistance. Resistance transfer occurred in 10 (77%) of the 13 strains. All the transferable resistances were found to be mediated by plasmids of the incompatibility groups H1, FII.J1 and C. The high frequency of the H1 plasmids observed in Klebisella strains, indicates multiresistant nosocomial Klebsiella infections in Gondar Hospital. Restricted use of antimicrobial agents and further studies of the problems of plasmid-mediated drug resistance are recommended.