International Journal of Medical Laboratory

153-158

Authors: Elham Rezaee 1 M.Sc., Seyed Adnan Kashfi 2 M.Sc., Parisa Bagheri 3* M.Sc.

Background and Aims: Urinary tract infections are one of the most common human infections seen in all age groups and both sexes. Inappropriate use of antibiotics to treat urinary tract infection causes the resistance of the pathogens to the drug. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of gramnegative and gram-positive bacteria and antibiotic resistance patterns in patients with urinary tract infection. Materials and Methods: Samples were cultured on Blood Agar and Eosin Methylene Blue. Colonies' growth was identified by biochemical tests and standard microbiological and antibiotic sensitivity tests, which were performed with the disc diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute 2016 Standard. Results and Conclusions: The isolated bacteria showed the highest susceptibility to imipenem (89.66%) and meropenem (87.21%) and the highest resistance to sulfamethoxazole (50.00%) and nalidixic acid (44.09%). So, using imipenem is recommended as the most effective antibiotic for the treatment of infection.

168-178

Authors: Amos Dangana 1 M.Sc., Anthony Uchenna Emeribe 2 M.Sc., Sanusi Musa 3 M.Sc., Lugos D. Moses 4 Ph.D., Christopher Ogar 2 M.Sc., Charles Ugwu 5 B.MLS, Chibueze Obi-George 6 B.MLS, Jessy Thomas Medugu 7 M.Sc., Olusoji Matthew Adeyemi Billyrose 1 M.Sc., Idris Nasir Abdullahi 3* M.Sc.

Background and Aims: Iron Deficiency (ID) is a common obstetric problem and nutritional disorder that occurs mostly in developing countries. Hence, nutritional studies are required every few years to determine the necessary healthcare interventions for pregnant women. This cross-sectional study evaluated the plasma iron, ferritin, transferrin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and unsaturated ironbinding capacity (UIBC) levels of pregnant women referred to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 58 non-pregnant women, 22 pregnant women in the first trimester, 52 in second, and 44 in the third trimester. The plasma ferritin concentration of these samples was measured by chemiluminescence assay, while the plasma transferrin, TIBC, and iron concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma ferritin levels <15μg/L were considered ID. Results: The overall prevalence of ID in pregnant women was 33.1%. However, the prevalence of ID was 29.3%, 22.7%, 34.6%, and 36.4% among non-pregnant women, women in the first trimester, second and third trimester, respectively. The mean±SEM iron levels were significantly higher among pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women (p=0.004). There was no significant difference in the mean±SEM of plasma ferritin, transferrin and TIBC concentrations between pregnant and non-pregnant women (p>0.05). Nevertheless, the mean±SEM plasma iron, ferritin, and UIBC significantly differed across the gestational ages of pregnant women (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of ID during pregnancy, which increases with the trimester of affected women. Healthcare interventional measures that can address ID are recommended.

191-196

Authors: Zahra Salari 1*M.Sc., Atefeh Ranjkesh 1 M.Sc., Emad Behboudi 2 M.Sc.

Background and Aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative, microaerophilic, spiral-shaped flagellated bacterium that is urease, catalase and oxidase positive. One of its pathogenicity factors is the iceA gene. H. pylori has recently been recognized as a genetic indicator for the development and evolution of duodenal ulcer disease in the East. This study aimed to determine the presence of this bacterium in gingival plaques in non-endocrine patients in Bojnourd city, and the polymerase chain reaction technique examined the percentage of iceA gene. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 samples of dental plaque were taken and transferred to a tube that has been physiologically placed. After DNA extraction, primer design was performed, and then the polymerase chain reaction was performed for the whole sample. Results: Of 100 samples examined in this study, two samples of H. pylori were positive (2%), and the frequency of the iceA gene of two samples was positive (100%). Conclusions: In the Bojnord city, the frequency of iceA gene in people is high, and the frequency of H. pylori in tooth plaques is low. Also, iceA gene can be considered as an indicator for predicting the contamination and risk of H. pylori infection in the region. To confirm the results, more molecular studies are required in other populations.

212-223

Authors: Ogechukwu F Odo 1,2* Ph.D., Nkiruka C Azubuike 2 Ph.D., Peter U Achukwu 2 Ph.D., Michael C Ugwu 3 M.Sc., Chisom H Udeogu 3 M.Sc., Ozoemena C Ike 4 M.Sc.

Background and Aims: Cola acuminata pod extract (CAPE) is used in Nigerian traditional medicine to treat low sperm count in males. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of CAPE on the reproductive system of male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Preliminary acute toxicity testing, phytochemical screening, proximate analysis, and determination of vitamin E concentration were performed on the extract. Three groups (I, II, and III) of 12 rats were used in the study. Each group comprised three batches (A, B, and C) of 4 rats each for different periods (4, 6, and 8 weeks, respectively). Results: Acute toxicity testing showed that CAPE had an oral lethal dose of 50% (LD50) of >5 g/kg body weight (b.wt) in rats. Vitamin E concentration was 0.511 mg/l. The caudal epididymal sperm count increased marginally from 4 to 6 weeks for rats treated with 800 mg/kg b.wt., but reduced significantly at 8 weeks for both CAPE treatment groups (II and III) (p<0.05) compared with the control group (I). Significant reduction (p<0.05) of sperm motility and serum testosterone levels at 8 weeks were observed. The histology of the reproductive organs revealed evident histo-architectural changes. Conclusions: These results suggest that the aqueous pod extract of Cola acuminata causes marked alterations in reproductive organs and shows antispermatogenic and antiandrogenic effects when administered orally over 8 weeks in mature male rats leading to contradicting its use as a traditional remedy for low sperm count in males.