Vaginal Candida infection in pregnancy and its implications for fetal well-being.

Vaginal Candida infection is one of the most common genital tract infections reported in pregnant women. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of vaginal Candida infection and pattern of Candida species isolates in the genital tract of pregnant women during antenatal period and in early labour; and the associated fetal outcome. The study was conducted at the antenatal clinic and labor ward of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. High vaginal swabs were collected from 408 pregnant women at the antenatal clinic and repeated in early labour. The samples were processed to isolate Candida species. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) windows version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Prevalence of Candida infection was significantly higher in early labour (46%) than during antenatal period (38%) (P=0.02). Candida albicans was the predominant isolate, followed by Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis. Candida infection was associated with increased likelihood of low birth weight babies (AOR 2.8, CI: 1.1-6.8; P= 0.03). However there was no statistically significant effect of Candida infection on the likelihood of preterm delivery (AOR 1.4, CI: 0.7-2.6; P= 0.35). Routine screening and prompt treatment of women at risk of delivering low birth weight babies is advocated.

Clinicopathological study of otomycosis in a tertiary hospital in South-west Nigeria.

Background: Otomycosis is common in environments with hot, humid weather, and it may be challenging to manage. Objectives: To profile common clinical presentations, the pathogenic fungi, the treatment modalities with responses, and explore clinical factors associated with having positive fungal culture in Otomycosis. Methods: Retrospective review of patients with Otomycosis. Demographic and clinical parameters, otoscopic findings and mycological study results were recorded. The treatment modalities used and treatment response were summarized. Comparative statistical analyses of associated factors to positive fungal culture were performed with Chi square test, and Student's t-test, using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Total of 71 patients with M: F=1:1.8, mean age 38.5±19.8 years. Average duration of symptoms was 5.4 ±4.6 weeks; common presenting complaint was itchy ear (33.8%). Majority of patients (85.9%) had unilateral ear involvement, 50.0% applied ototopic medications before presentation, 8.5% had multiple co-morbidities. 20 patients had positive fungal culture results; common fungal isolate was Aspergillus niger 9 (45.0%).Clinical factors associated with positive culture of fungus were age, non-previous use of ototopic drugs, and presence of co-morbidity. The most common treatment was local ear debridement and use of topical antifungal creams. Majority (91.5%) of the patients responded with resolution of fungal infection. Complications rate was 8.4%. Conclusions: Otomycosis commonly present with itchy ears, the pathogenic fungi commonly being Aspergillus species. The factors associated with positive fungal culture were age, non-usage of ototopic agents and presence of co-morbidity. Treatment modality used was local debridement and topical antifungal agents, which produced favourable response in most patients.

Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy and early labour using Nugent scoring and the implication on foetal outcome.

BACKGROUND: To compare the pattern of vaginal microflora during pregnancy with pattern in early labour using Nugent scoring and determine the effect of these changes on fetal outcome. DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal study. SETTING AND POPULATION: Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria between June 2017 and May 2018. METHODS: Consenting pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics were recruited. Vaginal secretions were obtained for Nugent scoring during pregnancy and at presentation in labour. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of abnormal vaginal flora in pregnancy and early labour, birth outcome, birth weight, gestational age at delivery, APGAR scores, need for neonatal ward admission. RESULTS: Sixty-seven (33.3%) of pregnant women had abnormal flora which was consistent with bacterial vaginosis. At the presentation of these women in labour, 14.4% of them had bacterial vaginosis thus indicating a significant reduction in abnormal vaginal flora in labour compared to the proportion of abnormal flora in antenatal period (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in the fetal outcomes of mothers with bacterial vaginosis when compared with those with normal vaginal flora (P-value >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Persistence of abnormal vaginal microflora from pregnancy till early labour did not seem to be associated with poorer foetal outcomes when compared with women with normal vaginal microflora in labour. The possibility of persistent infection or re-infection before labour may justify the need for re-evaluation of vaginal smears in the late third trimester to allow for prompt treatment before the onset of labour. FUNDING: This research work was sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Nigeria (TETFund) with reference number OOU/IBR/010.

Expanded Phase I safety and acceptability study of 6% cellulose sulfate vaginal gel.

BACKGROUND: An expanded Phase I trial was performed to assess the safety and acceptability of 6% cellulose sulfate gel (CS) in comparison with K-Y Jelly. METHODS: Sexually abstinent (cohort I) and sexually active (cohort II) women in India, Nigeria and Uganda applied 3.5 ml of either 6% CS gel or K-Y Jelly for seven consecutive days. Safety was assessed by symptoms and signs (including colposcopy) of genital irritation, review of adverse events, and by changes in vaginal health as assessed by microscopy. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty women (90 on CS and 90 on K-Y Jelly) were enrolled. Baseline characteristics of women in both gel groups were similar. In cohort I, six (14%) women on CS and 12 (27%) on K-Y Jelly reported genital symptoms, two (in K-Y Jelly group) of whom withdrew from the study. New colposcopy findings or findings showing deterioration were detected in four (9%) women on CS and nine (21%) women on K-Y Jelly in cohort I. Two women on CS and three on K-Y Jelly in cohort II reported genital symptoms. Five women (11%) in each gel group in cohort II had new colposcopy findings or findings showing deterioration. The differences between the gel groups were not statistically significant. The majority of women had no problem with their assigned product. CONCLUSION: A vaginal application of 6% cellulose sulfate twice daily for seven consecutive days is as safe and well tolerated as a similar regimen of K-Y Jelly. Further development of 6% CS for prevention of HIV and pregnancy is recommended.

Prevalence of bacterial pathogens in infected wounds in a tertiary hospital, 1995-2001: any change in trend?

BACKGROUND: Wound care is a very important aspect of surgical care. Knowledge of the epidemiology of bacterial pathogens associated with infected wounds is critical in formulating policies on infection control. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of bacterial pathogens in wounds from various units of a Nigerian tertiary hospital orthopedics and traumatology department, as well as changes over time, if any, in the prevalence rates. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using laboratory records from 1995 to 2001. RESULTS: 670 bacterial isolates from 629 patients were studied. The most common isolates were Pseudomonas spp.-29.9%, and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)--27.5%. Others were Klebsiella spp.-18.5%, Proteus spp.--15.1%, and Escherichia coli (E. coli)--7%. The least common were Streptococci--2%, and Enterococci--0.3%. Pseudomonas spp. accounted for 33% of isolates in the adult wards, while S. aureus was 21% and E. coli 8%. The pattem is similar in the pediatric ward (33.9%, 23.7%, and 8.5%, respectively) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (40%, 6.7%, and zero, respectively). S. aureus was the most common isolate from the orthopedic clinics (OPD) 40%, and the A&E (35%), followed by pseudomonas spp.-25.4% and 19%, respectively. The odds of a wound being infected with Gram-negative bacilli among inpatients compared with outpatients is 2.44 (95% CL = 1.72-3.47; P = 0.0000003) Between 1995 and 2001, the prevalence of Gram-positive bacteria decreased, while that of Gram-negative bacilli increased. The prevalence of Pseudomonas spp. and S. aureus also increased. CONCLUSION: Wounds from patients in the orthopedics and trauma services are more frequently infected with Gram-negative bacilli than by Gram-positive bacteria. The prevalence of the former is higher in the ICU and least in the OPD. Pseudomonas spp. was the most common isolate. It was more common among inpatients, while S. aureus was more common among outpatients. The prevalence of Pseudomonas spp. in particular and Gram-negative bacilli in general is increasing.