Bacteria Associated With Commercially Prepared Mealie Meal From Selected Food Stores in Lusaka District of Zambia

Author(s):  
Adeyemo Dayo Omodele ◽  
Hangombe Bernard Mudenda ◽  
John Bwalya Muma ◽  
Musso Munyeme ◽  
Martin Simuunza ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction:Mealie meal is a staple diet in the Lusaka district of Zambia. Bacteria associated with commercially prepared mealie meal could be spoilage or pathogenic bacteria. Thus bacterial contamination could result from packaged maize flours purchased from food stores.Material and Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2019 - March 2020 for spoilage and pathogenic bacteria associated with mealie meals bought from a selected retail outlet in the Lusaka district. We performed cell culture for the Mealie Meal Samples collected at five study zones in Lusaka district viz: South, Central, East, West, and North. Food stores in each zone were further stratified into sampling units of interest: mall, shop, and street food vendor. Results: Preliminary laboratory findings revealed the following: Spoilage Bacteria - Candida Species, Clostridium Species, and Bacillus Species; Pathogenic Bacteria Species-Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium tetani, Bacillus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Yersinia pestis.Conclusion:In conclusion, it can be established from the aforementioned laboratory results that food-borne infections could evolve from bacteria associated with commercially prepared mealie meals bought from food stores in the Lusaka district of Zambia.

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
Godfred Saviour Kudjo Azaglo ◽  
Mohammed Khogali ◽  
Katrina Hann ◽  
John Alexis Pwamang ◽  
Emmanuel Appoh ◽  
...  

Inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in ambient air. There is no published information about the presence and resistance profiles of bacteria in ambient air in Ghana. We evaluated the presence and antibiotic resistance profiles of selected bacterial, environmental and meteorological characteristics and airborne bacterial counts in 12 active air quality monitoring sites (seven roadside, two industrial and three residential) in Accra in February 2020. Roadside sites had the highest median temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and PM10 concentrations, and median airborne bacterial counts in roadside sites (115,000 CFU/m3) were higher compared with industrial (35,150 CFU/m3) and residential sites (1210 CFU/m3). Bacillus species were isolated in all samples and none were antibiotic resistant. There were, however, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas species, non-hemolytic Streptococci, Coliforms and Staphylococci species, of which six (50%) showed mono-resistance or multidrug resistance to four antibiotics (penicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone). There was a positive correlation between PM10 concentrations and airborne bacterial counts (rs = 0.72), but no correlations were found between PM10 concentrations and the pathogenic bacteria nor their antibiotic resistance. We call for the expansion of surveillance of ambient air to other cities of Ghana to obtain nationally representative information.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayo Adeyemo ◽  
Bernard Mudenda Hang`ombe ◽  
John Bwalya Muma ◽  
Musso Munyemme

Abstract Mealie Meal is one of the by-products of maize from dry milling. It constitutes more significant part of the daily diet of growing population of the f Lusaka District of Zambia. However, reported cases of a cholera outbreak in October 2017-May 2018 were attributed to water contamination in the households of Lusaka. Hitherto there is no previous study or documented data for gastroenteritis caused by microbial contamination from food stores.The main objective of the study was to carry out species identification of Mealie meal spoilage organisms and pathogenic bacteria from selected food stores in Lusaka district from September 2019 – March 2020.Cross-sectional survey (prevalence study) was conducted for food spoilage organisms and pathogenic bacteria of packaged maize meal flour from a selected food store. The number of packaged Mealie meal samples from selected food stores included in the study was 143 samples. Samples were obtained by a simple stratified random selection from food stores in Lusaka District. Thus Mealie Meal samples bought from Street food vendors were 96 (67%), Shops-30 (21%), Malls-17 (11.9%). Subsequently isolation by spread and pour plate methods, and species identification of microbial contamination by Cell Culture processes coupled to microbial morphological and biochemical characterization was performed. Microsoft Office Excel (version 2007) Spreadsheet was employed for the categorical data analysis and summarized graphical presentation of data. The preliminary laboratory findings revealed the following: Spoilage organisms – Aspergillum species, Mucor Species, Candida Species, Clostridium Species and Bacillus Species; Pathogenic Bacteria Species-Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium tetani , Bacillus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Yesinia pestis.It can be established from the laboratory results earlier mentioned that the food poisoning outbreak could evolve from food stores in Lusaka district apart from water contamination.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Kazemi ◽  
Behnam Honarvar ◽  
S. Taghi Heydari ◽  
Hassan Joulaei ◽  
Mohammad Reza Rahmanian Haghighi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Happiness has multiple levels and determinants in different communities, cultures, and social groups. The current study aimed to investigate happiness and its main determinants in slums in south central Iran. Methods This community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of adults at least 18 years of age living in the biggest slum area in Shiraz, south central Iran. To determine levels of happiness, participants were asked to complete the Persian version of the GHQ28 questionnaire and a checklist based on the 2017 World Happiness Report. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 19. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results The mean age of the participants was 42.06 ± 16.34 years. Overall, 542 participants (45 %) were females, 257 (21.3 %) were illiterate, 678 (56.3 %) were married, and 495 (41.1 %) were unemployed and lived with their household. The happiness score, according to the Cantril ladder score, was 6.41 ± 2 (out of a total score of 10). Happiness was not correlated with gender (p = 0.37) or immigration (p = 0.06). Lower levels of happiness were seen in older adults (r=− 0.12, p < 0.001), illiterates (p = 0.03), the unemployed (p < 0.001), and people separated from their spouses (p < 0.001). Job satisfaction (p < 0.001, r = 0.47), total general health (p < 0.001, r=-0.36) and hope (p < 0.001, r = 0.41) were significantly correlated with happiness. Social support (< 0.001) and sufficient income and satisfaction (p < 0.001) were related with a higher score of happiness. Conclusions Marital status, smoking, employment and job satisfaction, social support and trust, feelings of insecurity in the neighborhood, hope for the future, facing violence, and income satisfaction were the main determinants of happiness in the Sang Siah slum area.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shima Salehi ◽  
Rozita Hosseini Shamsabadi ◽  
Hassan Otukesh ◽  
Reza Shiari ◽  
Monir Sharafi

Abstract Background: Lupus is an inflammatory and autoimmune disease that involves various tissues and organs of the body. Identification of diagnostic elements to rapid identification of seronegative lupus cases is very important in order to prevent morbidity and progression of disease. This study aimed to compare clinical and laboratory findings of seropositive cases with seronegative lupus patients. Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study was performed on 43 children (17 seronegative and 26 seropositive) with lupus who were admitted to Ali Asghar Hospital during 2007-2017. Seropositive patients had anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titration >1/80, while seronegative patients had ANA titration <1/80 (at the time of disease diagnosis). Clinical and laboratory findings were compared between two groups.Results: Serositis in patients with ANA- was significantly higher than ANA+ (41.17% vs. 23.07%; p = 0.042). ANA- group had higher autoimmune disease history than ANA+ group (42.85% vs. 15.0%; p = 0.041). The family history of the disease in the ANA- group was greater than ANA+ group (50% vs. 23.52%). The percentage of hypertensive patients in ANA- group was higher than ANA+ group (52.94% vs. 26.92%; p = 0.037). Neurologic symptoms in ANA+ and ANA- groups were 38.46% and 17.64%, respectively (p = 0.043). The frequency of patients with thrombocytopenia in ANA+ group was significantly greater than ANA- group (32% vs. 12.5%; p=0.041). There was no significant difference in other clinical and laboratory findings between two groups. Conclusion: Seronegative lupus patients had higher percentage of musculoskeletal symptoms, autoimmune disease history, familial history of disease, and hypertension, while neurological and thrombocytopenia symptoms were higher in seropositive patients compared to seronegative cases. Therefore, evaluation of these factors can be helpful to diagnosis of seronegative patients.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262619
Author(s):  
Seifu Awgchew Mamo ◽  
Girum Sebsibie Teshome ◽  
Tewodros Tesfaye ◽  
Abel Tibebu Goshu

Introduction Perinatal asphyxia continues to be a significant clinical concern around the world as the consequences can be devastating. World Health Organization data indicates perinatal asphyxia is encountered amongst 6–10 newborns per 1000 live full-term birth, and the figures are higher for low and middle-income countries. Nevertheless, studies on the prevalence of asphyxia and the extent of the problem in poorly resourced southern Ethiopian regions are limited. This study aimed to determine the magnitude of perinatal asphyxia and its associated factors. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used from March to April 2020. Data was collected from charts of neonates who were admitted to NICU from January 2016 to December 31, 2019. Result The review of 311 neonates’ medical records revealed that 41.2% of the neonates experienced perinatal asphyxia. Preeclampsia during pregnancy (AOR = 6.2, 95%CI:3.1–12.3), antepartum hemorrhage (AOR = 4.5, 95%CI:2.3–8.6), gestational diabetes mellitus (AOR = 4.2, 95%CI:1.9–9.2), premature rupture of membrane (AOR = 2.5, 95%CI:1.33–4.7) fetal distress (AOR = 3,95%CI:1.3–7.0) and meconium-stained amniotic fluid (AOR = 7.7, 95%CI: 3.1–19.3) were the associated factors. Conclusion Substantial percentages of neonates encounter perinatal asphyxia, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Focus on early identification and timely treatment of perinatal asphyxia in hospitals should, therefore, be given priority.


Author(s):  
Amir Emami ◽  
Fatemeh Javanmardi ◽  
Ali Akbari ◽  
Babak Shirazi Yeganeh ◽  
Tahereh Rezaei ◽  
...  

Background: Identifying effective biomarkers plays a critical role on screening; rapid diagnosis; proper managements and therapeutic options, which is helpful in preventing serious complications. The present study aimed to compare the liver laboratory tests between alive and dead hospitalized cases for prediction and proper management of the patients. Methods: This retrospective, cross sectional study consists of all deceased patients admitted in one center in Shiraz, Iran during 19 Feb 2020 to 22 Aug 2021. For further comparison, we selected a 1:2 ratios alive group randomly. Results: Overall, 875 hospitalized cases died due to COVID-19. We selected 1750 alive group randomly. The median age was significantly higher in died group (65.96 vs 51.20). Regarding the laboratory findings during the hospitalization ALT, AST, Bili.D were significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors but Albumin was less in deceased patients. It was revealed elevated levels of Albumin, AST, Bili.T and Bili.D were associated with increasing the risk of in hospital death. Moreover, the predictive effect of ALP and Bili.D had significantly more than others with high sensitivity and specify. Conclusion: We found patients with COVID-19 have reduced serum albumin level, and increase ALT and AST. The current results revealed abnormal liver chemistries is associated with poor outcome, which highlighted the importance of monitoring these patients more carefully and should be given more caution.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Huang ◽  
Shasha Xie ◽  
Liqing Ding ◽  
Hui Luo

Abstract Objectives: To identify and reclassify the patients in the LN cohort, and to further analyze the prominent clinical features and clinical significance of each cluster of patients.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of a cohort of 635 LN patients from the Rheumatology Department of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Demographic data, laboratory findings and clinical evaluation system include physician’s global assessment and the SLICC/ACR Damage Index were collected. Using two-step cluster analysis, patients with similar clinical property were identified and compared.Results: Among the 635 LN patients, 599 patients (94.3%) were female. The mean age of the patients were 33.8 ± 10.4 years. Three subgroups were identified by two-step cluster analysis. Cluster 1 included 130 (20.5%) patients, Cluster 2 included 132(20.8%) patients and Cluster 3 included 373 (58.7%) patients. Cluster 3 was the largest group of mild disease activity, patients in this cluster had lower white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes and mean SDI scores compared to those in the other two clusters. Cluster 1 was the smallest group of severe damage, patients in this cluster had multiple positive auto-antibodies, higher SDI scores and lower complement level. Patients of cluster 2 had the highest levels of granulocytes, but the results of other laboratory tests were roughly between the cluster 1 and cluster 3.Conclusions: This study reclassified three groups of LN patients in a large cohort. Our research shows that the multiple positive ANA antibody may be related to the high SDI score of LN patients. Clinicians can identify patients at different stages through cluster analysis to better implement prognosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aly Kodio ◽  
Drissa Coulibaly ◽  
Abdoulaye Kassoum Koné ◽  
Salimata Konaté ◽  
Safiatou Doumbo ◽  
...  

Blastocystis is the most common protozoan colonizing the gut of vertebrates. It modulates the human digestive microbiota in the absence of inflammation and gastrointestinal disease. Although it has been associated with human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, its pathogenicity remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the influence of Blastocystis on the gut bacterial communities in healthy children. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 147 Blastocystis-colonized and 149 Blastocystis-noncolonized Malian children, with Blastocystis colonization assessed by real-time PCR and gut microbial communities characterized via 16S rRNA gene (Illumina MiSeq) sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The gut microbiota diversity was higher in Blastocystis-colonized compared to Blastocystis-noncolonized children. The phyla Firmicutes, Elusimicrobia, Lentisphaerae, and Euryarchaeota were higher in Blastocystis-colonized children, whereas Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, unassigned bacteria, and Deinococcus–Thermus were higher in Blastocystis-noncolonized children. Moreover, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (family Ruminococcaceae) and Roseburia sp. (family Lachnospiraceae) abundance was higher in Blastocystis-colonized children. We conclude that Blastocystis colonization is significantly associated with a higher diversity of the gut bacterial communities in healthy children, while it is not associated with the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the human gut.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Veronica Lily Limantara ◽  
Ida Bagus Mudita ◽  
I Ketut Suarta

Objective To evaluate fibrinogen concentration of relapsing neph-rotic syndrome (NS) in children, and to investigate relationshipbetween fibrinogen with albumin and cholesterol.Methods A cross-sectional study among NS patients admitted topediatric outpatient clinic and pediatric ward at Sanglah Hospital,Denpasar, from November 1, 2003 to January 31, 2004. All pa-tients were evaluated for clinical and laboratory findings of relapseand remission, including edema, proteinuria, serum albumin, totalcholesterol, as well as total platelet count and fibrinogen concen-tration to evaluate coagulation parameters in nephrotic patients.Results There were 36 patients with the mean age of 7.4 (SD 2.3)years included in this study. Mean fibrinogen concentration in re-lapse state was 671.8 (SD 102.7) mg/dl, while in remission statewas 255.2 (SD 50.5 mg/dl); the mean difference was 416.6 mg/dl(95% CI 362.9;470.4; P<0.001). Fibrinogen was inversely andstrongly correlated with serum albumin concentrations (r=-0.91;P<0.001). Fibrinogen was positively and strongly correlated to to-tal cholesterol (r=0.80; P<0.001). Using multiple regression analy-sis, it was shown that only relapse/remission status was signifi-cantly associated with fibrinogen concentration (P<0.001).Conclusion Fibrinogen status is significantly correlated with re-lapse and remission status of NS in childhood patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 117863372095207
Author(s):  
Kiran Duwadi ◽  
Sujan Khadka ◽  
Sanjib Adhikari ◽  
Sanjeep Sapkota ◽  
Pabitra Shrestha

Introduction: Patients with malignancies frequently develop infections as a result of surgical procedures and fungating wounds leading to pus formation. This cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the bacteriological spectra of infections of various cancer sites and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns among the patients visiting minor operation theatre (OT) of B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital (BPKMCH), Chitwan, Nepal. Methods: Over a period of 3 months from September to November 2018, a total of 183 wound exudates and pus samples were collected and analyzed by standard microbiological procedures. Isolates were identified based on the colony characters, Gram staining and an array of biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique according to criteria set by CLSI, 2016. Methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus was tested with the help of cefoxitin using disc diffusion method. Results: Out of the 183 samples, 149 (81.4%) were culture positive. Among 13 different isolates identified, S. aureus (43.0%) was predominant followed by E. coli (14.0%). Higher incidence of bacteria was seen among the males (52.3%), in the age group 51 to 60 years (26.8%) and among the patients undergoing surgical intervention to deal with cancer (34.2%). The prevalence of wound infection was significantly affected by gender, age, and treatment regimen ( P < .01). Out of the total 68 S. aureus isolates, 38 (44.1%) were deemed as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Among the 158 isolates, 85 (53.8%) were multi-drug resistant (MDR). Cefepime was the most effective antibiotic for Gram positive isolates whereas both imipenem and meropenem were found to be equally more effective for Gram negative isolates. Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with malignancies harbor pathogenic bacteria; therefore, prudent use of antibiotics is essential to prevent the emergence of MDR pathogens.


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