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Papers by Ifeanyi Onwuezobe

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 2012

The antibiogram of nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from pregnant women a... more The antibiogram of nasal methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from pregnant women attending University of Uyo Teaching Hospital was investigated using standard microbiological procedures. Out of 772 women, 180(23.3%) harboured nasal MRSA while 592 (76.7%) had MSSA (Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus). The highest frequency (33.3%) occured at week 16 while the lowest occured at week 36 of the pregnancy period. Evaluation by logistic regression showed no risk factor involvement for MRSA. The patients were evaluated on their first visit (booking) therefore the MRSA were likely community-acquired. Antibiogram of isolates showed sensitivity mostly to clindamycin (80%), amoxacillin-clavulanic acid (76.7%), ceftriazone (69.4%) and resistance to co-trimoxazole (51.7%). The asymptomatic nasal colonisation of MRSA in pregnant women may therefore be a risk factor for serious systemic infection after delivery.

Asian Journal of Medicine and Health, 2018

Aims: The study investigated the prevalence of aetiologic agents of vaginitis in sexually active ... more Aims: The study investigated the prevalence of aetiologic agents of vaginitis in sexually active women and assessed the influence of some economic factors on the prevalence of these diseases. Study Design: A total of 150 randomly selected women attending clinics in a General Hospital were involved in this research study. They all gave written informed consent prior to enrolment into this study. Methodology: The study was based on microscopy and culture, including biochemical tests. Questionnaires were also administered.

Savannah Journal of Medical Research and Practice, 2017

Soil erosion is a result of many factors such as rainfall intensity steepness of slope, length of... more Soil erosion is a result of many factors such as rainfall intensity steepness of slope, length of slope, vegetative cover, soil erodibility factor as well as anthropogenic influences. Among these factors, soil erodibility is considered an essential parameter since it governs the ease with which soil particles are detached and transported by water. At the centre of this study is the determination of the erodibility factor (otherwise known as K factor) in the Wischmeier Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The erodibility was determined by measuring four basic parameters closely related with the soil physical status: soil texture, soil structure, soil permeability, and organic matter content of the soil. Twenty four samples of surface and subsurface soils were collected from three gully erosion sites in Uyo watershed which were used to measure the above mentioned parameters in order to determine the K-factor. Using the model developed by Wichmeier and Smith (1978), the K factor was calculated for each soil sample when appropriate data are entered in a proper sequence. The permeability class as well as soil structure codes were determined using the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) document published in 1983. The Wischmeier equation, among many erosion models, seems obviously to be the most realistic one, because it considers all the possible soil factors affecting soil erodibility. The K factor values obtained were found to be between 0.269Mg.h.MJ-1 mm-1 to 0.325Mg.h.MJ-1 mm-1 , which means that there is a slight variation in Uyo soils with respect to their behaviour towards erodibility or consequently towards erosion. It was discovered that the most significant variable or parameter on soil erodibility was silt and coarse sand whereas the less significant variable was clay. This study reveals the proneness and susceptibility of soils with high silt content to structural breakdown and consequently erosion.

Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2005

Objective: To determine the attitude of teachers towards the introduction of sexuality education ... more Objective: To determine the attitude of teachers towards the introduction of sexuality education in secondary school. Methodology: Three hundred and twenty secondary school teachers with median age of 37 years were randomly selected and included in the study using self administered well structured questionnaires. Results: Greater number of teachers views the teaching of sexuality education as the responsibility of the parents (46.1%) and as such sees home (43.7%) rather than school (38.6%) as the best place to impact such knowledge. Most of them (55.6%) considered ages 10 - 14 years or Junior Secondary School level as the appropriate period for introducing sexuality education. About 68% percent of the teachers perceived sexuality education as mostly beneficial in preventing unplanned pregnancy while 56.0% were of the opinion that it will promote early exposure to sexual relationship. Although age played a role as older teachers between the ages of 45 - 49 years (86.8%), are more wil...

Asian Journal of Medicine and Health, 2020

Aims: Anaerobic causes of pyogenic wound infection are not usually investigated due to difficulti... more Aims: Anaerobic causes of pyogenic wound infection are not usually investigated due to difficulties in cultural techniques, lack of equipment and technical man-power. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anaerobic bacteria agents of pyogenic infection and the associated risk factors among patients in a tertiary hospital. Study Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo and carried out on 136 wound samples from patients. These samples were collected from all consented patients with pyogenic wound infection that met the inclusion criteria. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria between April and October, 2018. Methodology: Deep wound swabs or aspirated pus samples were collected and inoculated into fresh 25% Sheep Blood Agar plate and incubated in an anaerobic jar containing anaerobic indicator and Gas-pak at 37oC for 48 – 72 hours Identifica...

American Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 2019

Asymptomatic bacteriuria is the presence of multiplying bacteria in the absence of any symptoms. ... more Asymptomatic bacteriuria is the presence of multiplying bacteria in the absence of any symptoms. The relevance of ASB lies in the insight it provides into symptomatic infections. Physiological and anatomical alterations during pregnancy make women more predisposed to urinary tract infection. This study seeks to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and bacteria profile among pregnant and non-pregnant women. A total of 230 pregnant women and 100 age-matched non-pregnant women were recruited. All pregnant women were recruited from individuals attending antenatal clinic and the controls recruited within the same hospital. Clean catch mid-stream urines ample was collected and microbial analysis done immediately. Significant ASB was identified and antibiotic sensitivity determined by conventional protocols. The overall prevalence of ASB in this study was 29.1% and 15% among pregnant and non-pregnant women respectively. The mean age was 25.3±5.2 and 24.2±5.6years for pregnant and non-pregnant women. Based on their parity among pregnant women, 112 (48.7%), 61(26.5%) and 57 (24.8%) were nulliparous, monoparous and multiparous respectively. Also, 37(16.1%), 70(30.4%) and 123(53.5%) of the pregnant women were in the 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd trimester. Sixty-seven (29.1%), 125 (54.3%) and 37 (16.1%) pregnant subjects were housewives, self-employed and civil servants in their occupation. Trimester was a risk factor for asymptomatic bacteriuria in the 2 nd and 3 rd trimester. There was association between age, parity, trimester and ASB. The most common isolate in this study was Escherichia coli (28.4%), followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (23.9%). The Escherichia coli and other uropathogens isolates were multiple drug sensitive between 50-100%. Previous bacteriuria treatment seeking pattern among the pregnant women was 138(60%), 42(18.3%), 32(13.9%) and 1(0.4%) for individuals who had sought treatments in hospitals, patent drug dealers (chemists), multi-centres and traditionally respectively. It is recommended that routine urine culture screening be conducted for all pregnant women at least in the second and third trimesters and positive ASB promptly treated.

An important goal of microwave research has now been attained with the development of the technol... more An important goal of microwave research has now been attained with the development of the technologies needed to fabricate monolithic microwave (mm-wave) integrated circuits. Questions regarding the use of monolithic versus hybrid circuits are investigated. Attention is given to the pros and cons of materials considered for use as monolithic substrates at mm-wave frequencies, the properties of the microstrip, and the effects of shorter wavelengths as the wavelengths become comparable with the microstrip cross section. A novel technology is considered for the fabrication of mm-wave devices utilizing ion-implantation, laser annealing, and unique secondary-ion mass spectrometry diagnostics.

Nigerian Journal of Medicine

Detection of Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in Nigeria still remains a challenge. We evaluated... more Detection of Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in Nigeria still remains a challenge. We evaluated the feasibility of programmatic implementation of the Microscopic-Observation Drug Susceptibility (MODS) assay, a rapid culture and drug susceptibility testing technique for drug susceptibility testing in a low resource setting.

papilliferum in a Niger delta

Background: Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with a ubiquitous intracellular protozoan parasi... more Background: Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with a ubiquitous intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. With the advent of the HIV pandemic in Nigeria, toxoplasmic encephalitis has become one of the more frequent opportunistic infections and the most commonly implicated cause of focal brain lesions complicating the course of AIDS. Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the pattern of seroprevalence of T. gondii (Toxo-IgG) antibodies among HIV-infected persons presenting with neurological complications and those without. Materials and methods: Plasma specimens collected from 380 subjects were tested for Toxo-IgG antibodies by enzyme immunoassay technique and CD4 estimation by flow cytometry. Close-ended questionnaires were applied to all respondents to collect relevant data, with ethical approval from the hospital ethical committee. Plasma was obtained from two study groups comprising 300 HIV-positive respondents without neurological presentations, and 80 HIV...

The Nigerian Health Journal, 2017

Background . Nosocomial wound infection has been implicated to occur globally. There are various ... more Background . Nosocomial wound infection has been implicated to occur globally. There are various types of wounds some of which may be peculiar to the environment, occupation and social life of the people. Postoperative wound infection is common in hospital and is spread directly from person to person or indirectly from equipment or personal care items. They are a significant burden to patients and public health and also a major cause of increased morbidity in hospitalized patients. Objective . This study was aimed to determine the bacterial agents and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of organisms causing nosocomial wound infection in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo. Methodology . A cross sectional study was carried out by collecting wound swab samples from 170 patients in different wards in the hospital. Result . Staphylococcus aureus (28.7%) was mostly isolated while, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.9%) was the most isolated Gram negative bacterial agent from th...

Nigerian Journal of Medicine, 2021

Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) has been documented as the main risk factor for the de... more Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) has been documented as the main risk factor for the development of symptomatic urinary tract infection in pregnancy and is associated with maternal and fetal complications. Objective: To determine the ASB prevalence, the causative microorganisms, their drug sensitivity patterns, and the factors associated with its occurrence in pregnant women in the Uyo, Nigeria. Methodology: Three hundred and twenty women were recruited during their first antenatal visit over a period of 13 weeks. A midstream urine specimen was obtained from each patient, cultured, isolates identified and antimicrobial sensitivity done. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Results: The ASB prevalence was 9.1% with the two commonest identified isolates being Escherichia coli (41.4%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.1%). Imipenem (100.0%) and gentamycin (37.9%) were the two most sensitive drugs. The association between respondents...

Background: Bacterial vaginosis are among the most common causes of abnormal vaginal discharges a... more Background: Bacterial vaginosis are among the most common causes of abnormal vaginal discharges and both represent consequences of imbalance in normal vaginal flora and pH.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the prevalence of Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and colonization with Candida among women attending Obstetrics and Gynecology clinics in a tertiary hospital.Methodology: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study. Pregnant and non-pregnant women attending Obstetrics and Gynaecology clinics in Uyo, Nigeria were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and self-administered vaginal swabs were collected by each participant. Nugent score was determined by Gram stain of smears of vaginal swabs while colonization by Candida was determined by inoculating each swab onto Saboraud’s agar and checking for growth of characteristic colonies after overnight incubation at 37°C. Chi square test was used to determine associations between variables.Results: Nugent sc...

Objectives Detection of Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in Nigeria still remains a challenge. W... more Objectives Detection of Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in Nigeria still remains a challenge. We evaluated the feasibility of programmatic implementation of the Microscopic-Observation Drug Susceptibility (MODS) assay, a rapid culture and drug susceptibility testing technique for drug susceptibility testing in a low resource setting. Method In a novel laboratory setting in Nigeria, we obtained data from the market on the cost of materials necessary for MODS assay. Three routinely collected sputum specimens from 160 tuberculosis suspects were evaluated by smear microscopy while only the early morning specimen was used for MODS culture. Results MODS assay detected M. tuberculosis in 97.7% (42/43) of smear positive and 6.0% (7/117) of smear negative TB suspects. There was a statistically significant advantage of a single MODS culture over 3 smear microscopies (P=0.019). The modal time from culture of specimen to detection of M. tuberculosis and availability of drug susceptibility res...

Annals of Tropical Pathology

Background: There is increasing use of antimicrobial agents worldwide and especially in low- and ... more Background: There is increasing use of antimicrobial agents worldwide and especially in low- and middle-income countries. Point prevalence studies of antimicrobial consumption can be used to determine intervention areas for antimicrobial stewardship programs. This point prevalence study was conducted in preparation for antimicrobial stewardship program in our hospital. Methods: Data on antimicrobial consumption was collected from patients in the hospital during 4 weeks by hospital doctors. Data was entered into the Global Point Prevalence Survey internet-based application, downloaded, analyzed, and presented in frequencies and percentages. Results: Of 197 patients surveyed across 21 wards, 62.4% had one or more antimicrobial agents. Metronidazole was the most frequently prescribed agent, whereas cephalosporins were the most frequent class prescribed. Community-acquired infection was the most common indication for antimicrobial therapy, whereas skin and soft-tissue infections were the most common diagnosis. Reason for prescription was stated in notes of 61.4% of patients, whereas 34.8% had stop or review dates documented. There was no record of the use of biomarkers to guide antimicrobial treatment. Conclusion: There is a high antimicrobial prevalence in our institution with cephalosporins as the most frequently prescribed class of antimicrobials. Community-acquired infections are the most common indication for an antimicrobial prescription but are surpassed by medical and surgical prophylaxis combined. There is a need for clinicians in this institution to use guidelines and microbiology laboratory reports to guide antimicrobial prescribing to reduce the antimicrobial prevalence among patients.

British Microbiology Research Journal, 2014

Tuberculosis is an important opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS. Benue state is the highest HIV ... more Tuberculosis is an important opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS. Benue state is the highest HIV endemic state in Nigeria and investigation of tuberculosis cases and Mycobacterial resistance patterns are needed. A retrospective study with a review of reports of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the rifampicin resistance was detected by the Cepheid GeneXpert MTB/RIF system was carried out from July, 2012 to September, 2013 in Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi and Nigeria Airforce Hospital, Makurdi. Pulmonary tuberculosis was detected in 21.5% (n=303/1407) of the total sample. Rifampicin resistance of 13.5% (31/230) and 15.1% (11/73) of the pulmonary tuberculosis positive cases was detected in Federal Medical Centre and Nigeria Airforce Base Hospital respectively, with an average prevalence of 13.9% (42/303). Re-treatment cases comprised 81% (34/42) whereas new cases constituted 19% (8/42) of all Rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis positive cases (X 2 = 6.51; p<0.05). Mean age was

Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology, 2013

Hands and anterior nares of Health Care Workers may serve as sources for transmission of pathogen... more Hands and anterior nares of Health Care Workers may serve as sources for transmission of pathogens causing nosocomial infection. The importance of hands in the transmission of nosocomial infection is known worldwide. However, it is difficult to induce hand washing behavior in health-care workers. This work is designed to ascertain the frequency of bacterial colonization and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates from the anterior nares and hands of healthcare workers in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH). Sterile cotton wool swabs, which were pre-moistened in sterile normal saline, were used to swab the anterior nares, and another used to swab the interdigital spaces of both hands of the participants. The samples were cultured on Mannitol salt agar, Blood agar and MacConkey agar. The plates were incubated at 35°C for 24-48 hrs. The bacterial isolates were identified and antibiotic susceptibility testing carried out on them using CLSI standard. Out of the 60 samples analysed (30 nasal and hand swabs), 48 (80%) yielded bacterial growth and 12 (20%) showed no bacterial growth. Of the 48 isolates, 46 (95.8%) were identified as Staphylococcus spp and 2 (4.2%) were identified as Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis). Out of the 46 Staphylococcal isolates, 30 (65.2%) were coagulase positive and 16 (34.8%) were coagulase negative. Out of the 30 coagulase positive Staphylococcus spp, 12 (40%) were found to be Methicillin resistant, and one of the Gram negative bacteria isolated (Proteus mirabilis) was extended spectrum beta lactamase producing. Also, of the 48 Staphylococcal isolates, 5 (10.4%) were inducible Clindamycin resistant. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be sensitive to Clindamycin (80%), followed by Ciprofloxacin (77%), Amoxicillin clavulanic acid (73.3%), Oxacillin (60%), Erythromycin (43%), Ceftriaxone (40%) and Trimethoprim Sulphamethoxazole (23.3%). On the other hand, Staphylococcus epidermidis was found to be sensitive to Ciprofloxacin (81%), Clindamycin (70%), Amoxicillin Clavulanic Acid (68.8%), Erythromycin (56.2%), Ceftriaxone (19%) and Trimethoprim Sulphamethoxazole (2.5%). E. coli was 100% sensitive to Ceftriaxone, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamycin, Ceftazidime and Cefotaxime, and Proteus mirabilis showed 100% sensitivity to Ceftriaxone, Amoxicillin clavulanic acid, Gentamycin and Cefotaxime. Since hands and anterior nares of health care worker attending to patients could be a source of transmission of nosocomial infection with its attendant consequences in patients care, it will be helpful to screen them regularly as a measure towards the prevention and control of hospital acquired infection.

Background: The widespread use of antibiotics has resulted in emergence of community-acquired ant... more Background: The widespread use of antibiotics has resulted in emergence of community-acquired antibiotic resistance among uropathogens in outpatient’s population. This constitutes an impediment in the management of urinary tract infection (UTI) in both community and hospital settings. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the current antibiotic resistance trends, extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production and plasmid profile of uropathogens from outpatients. Methods: A total of 370 mid-stream urine samples were collected and cultured by standard methods. Isolated uropathogens were identified using appropriate biochemical methods. The modified Kirby Bauer disk method was used for antibiotic susceptibility test. The ESBL-producing uropathogens were identified and their plasmid DNA extraction and curing were carried out by standard methods. Results: About 35.7% and 32.7% of uropathogens were multi-drug resistant and ESBL-producing respectively. There was higher prev...