Isolation and biocontrol of bacteriophages from wastewater in the city of Lomé, Togo: potential application as a novel source for antimicrobial therapy

Background: Bacteriophages offer one of the most promising solutions to the challenges of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. The aim of this study is to investigate bacteriophages as a source of new antimicrobial therapy. Methodology: Waste water samples were randomly collected from 8 different locations in the city of Lomé for bacteriophage isolation. The phages were isolated using multi-resistant clinical isolates (Escherichia coli 1642 and Staphylococcus aureus 0868) as hosts by means of a spot test. The host range of the phages was determined also by a spot test using 8 other clinical bacterial isolates including two reference strains (E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 29213). The virulence of the phages and their effects on bacterial growth were assessed by in vitro experiments using E. coli 1642 BBec phage suspension. Results: Isolation of phages by the spot test was positive only with the host E. coli 1642. A reduced host range was observed with the other bacteria. The BBec phage suspension showed a titer of 1.6 x 107 PFU/ml. Virulence studies revealed a latency time of less than 10 minutes, a degree of absorption of 87% and a burst size of 63 PFU/cell. The effect of BBec phage suspension on E. coli 1642 showed an almost total reduction in the population of E. coli 1642 after 4 hours. Conclusion: This study provided scientific data showing the antibacterial effect of a phage suspension (BBec) on a multi-resistant clinical isolate of E. coli 1642. This phage could therefore be explored as a candidate for the development of new antibacterial therapies.

[Tracheotomy: review of five years at the University Hospital of Lome, Togo]. / Trachéotomie: bilan de cinq ans au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lomé, Togo.

From a review of 37 cases, this retrospective study relates the activity of the Otorhinolaryngology service at the University Hospital Center of Lomé, as regards tracheostomy. It details: - a high rate of urgent tracheostomy (76%) for laryngeal carcinoma and papillomatosis; - a high rate of complication (29%) and death (5%). This is due to the urgency of tracheostomies, unsuitable cannulae, irregular nursing and prolonged cannula carrying. A better technique and rigorous supervision could reduce these complications.

[Laryngeal papillomatosis in children: therapeutic problems apropos of 39 cases at the Lomé University Hospital Center]. / Papillomatose laryngée de l'enfant: problèmes thérapeutiques à propos de 39 cas au CHU de Lomé.

The retrospective study about 39 cases of laryngeal papillomatosis emphasizes the management difficulties due to slenderness of therapeutical resources, delayed consultations because of health under education of the community and patients' discouragement during treatment of such a relapsing disease. Consequently, tracheostomy was needed immediately (25.64%), breaking of the voice (48.72%) was noted as well as school backwardness. The use of laser and interferon in laryngeal papillomatosis treatment is for the future in Togo.

[Intracranial and cranial complications of paranasal sinusitis. Report of 4 cases at the Lomé University Hospital Center]. / Complications craniennes et endocraniennes des sinusites para-nasales. Observations de 4 cas au CHU de Lomé.

The complications of paranasal sinusitis are rare (only 4 cases have been observed during 5 years). The acute frontal sinusitis is the most frequent cause. The diagnosis of the frontal osteitis and the extradural abscess is made during the course of the surgical intervention. An antibiotherapy combining an ampicillin and a gentamicin is used. The treatment of the complication and the causative sinusitis is a guarantee of recovery.

[Relapsing polychondritis. Apropos of a case]. / Polychondrite chronique atrophiante. A propos d'une observation.

The relapsing polychondritis is a rare autoimmune disease. The pathologist finds a fibrous degeneration of the cartilage of the body. A case relapsing polychondritis is presented and the disorders of the disease are reviewed. The larynx and trachea location is a fact of a poor prognosis.

Manifestations ORL et cervico-faciales de l'infection par le virus VIH a Lome

De janvier 1989 a mai 1991; 22 patients seropositifs ont consulte dans le service d'ORL pour des manifestations cervico-faciales variees avec une predominance de la paralysie faciale peripherique. Ces manifestations sont parfois inaugurables; conduisant au depistage du SIDA et meritent d'etre connues