A 5 - year surveillance of wound infections at a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Background: Wound infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.Objectives: To determine the prevalence, aetiology and susceptibility profile of bacterial agents of wound infection among in- and- out patients at a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria, within a 5 year period.Methods: Wound swabs collected from 156 out-patients and 353  in-patients were, cultured and microbial isolates identified using standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done on bacterial isolates.Results: The prevalence of wound infection in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was 71.4%, 76.2%, 74.5%, 61.5%, and 67.0% respectively. The overall prevalence of wound infection was 70.1%. In all the years studied, out-patients had a higher prevalence of wound infection, but this was  significant in 2007, 2009, and 2010 only. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent pathogen in both in- and out - patients with the exception of 2009 where both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the same prevalence (24.4%) among in - patients. The  flouroquinolones were the most potent antimicrobial agents against bacterial isolates from both in – and out –patients.Conclusions: Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant etiologic agent of wound infection among in and out patients. A generally higher resistance pattern was observed among nosocomial bacterial pathogens. Prudent use of antibiotics is recommended.Keywords: prevalence, wound infection, antibiotic resistances, rural community, Nigeri

Comparative utilization of shea butter cake and palm kernel cake by broiler chickens

The utilization of Shea butter cake (SBC), a by-product of fat extraction from Sheabutter nuts (Butyrospemium parodoxum) was compared with Palm Kernel Cate (PKC) to establish its potential as a poultry feedstuff. A 2 x 3 factorial experiment combining two factors, SBC and PKC at three levels of inclusion (5%, 10% and 15%) was designed. The six dietary treatments were fed to a total of 180 day-old chicks up to 56 days or age. Broilers fed SBC diets consumed more feed (P < 0.05) than those fed PKC diets between 0-28 days or age. During the finisher period (29-56d) and the entire period (0-56d) feed intakes of broilers were similar (P > 0.05) oo the treatment except the low consumption (P<0.05) by those fed 5% SBC. Broiler chicks fed 5% attained the heaviest weight gain (P > 0.05) which compared with chicks fed 15% PKC between 0·28d. Between 29-56d. growth rates of broilers were unif onnly higher (P < 0.05) on PKC than SBC diets. Broilers fed 15% SBC had the least. (P<0.05) weight gain at the three (0-28d; 29-56d and 0-56d) periods. Considering the entire period (0-56d), growth rates were not significantly (P> 0.05) different on SBC diets up to 10%, and on PKC diets up to 15%. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratios of the broiler became poorer (P < 0.05) with increasing lenls of SBC in both growth phases unlike broilers fed PKC which had similar values irrespective or the levels of inclusion. The intestinal tracts and visceral organs were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the sources and levels of test ingredients except abdominal fat which was higher on SBC than PKC at 10% and 15% levels of inclusion, and increased with the levels of SBC 10% SBC level was optimal.Key Words: Broilers; Sheabutter cake; Palm kernel cake; performance; organ measurements

Social Media in Agricultural Research in Nigeria: A Platform for Connections and Networking

Agriculture is important to Nigeria’s economy, as it engages about 70% of her labour force and contributes over 40% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The need for current and relevant information by professionals in this sector for sustainable agricultural production is a crucial issue for the nation. Information communication technology facilities are greatly influencing how information is sourced and disseminated these days, and the latest trend is to use social networking sites. This study therefore examined whether agricultural researchers in Nigeria used social media as a means of networking and collaboration in their endeavours as researchers in the agricultural industry. The study was conducted among agricultural researchers in six agricultural research institutes and a university of agriculture in south-west Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study. Questionnaire was the main instrument of data collection. 140 copies of the questionnaire were administered to the target audience and 101(72%) copies were returned and used for the study. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings reveal that majority of the respondents are middle aged, while the most used social media among agricultural researchers in Nigeria is Facebook. Their major reason for using social media is to establish connection with their professional colleagues. The major benefit derived from using social media is exposure to the latest skills and knowledge in their profession. Recommendations are also proffered to encourage effective use of social media for networking and communication of research results among agricultural scientists in Nigeria.Key words: Social, Media, Agriculture, Research, Networking, Nigeri

Supplemental effects of dried yeast (<i>Yea-sacc 1026(P)</i><sup>®</sup>) in a low protein diet on growth performance, carcass characteristics and organ weights of broiler chicken

The growth enhancing properties of Yea-sacc 1026(P) yeast culture were evaluated in this study. Seven day old broiler chicks of the Nera breed were allotted to 5 dietary treatments with 3 replicates at 6 birds per replicate. Diet A was the control and contained 23.14% crude protein with fishmeal constituting 5% of the diet and no yeast additive. Diet B served as a basal diet containing 18% crude protein with no fish meal and no yeast additive. Diets C, D and E had the same formulation as diet B but with 0.08 %, 0.16% and 0.32% of yeast (Yea-sacc 1026(P) respectively. Average voluntary feed intake values (66-74gd-1) were similar (P>0.05) but greater than 47.7 gd-1 for birds on basal diets (

Maggot meal as a substitute for fish meal in laying chicken diet

A 56-day experiment was conducted to determine thereplacement value of maggot meal for fish meal in diet of laying chicken. Fish meal was included at 30 g kg-1 of the control diet. Maggot meal incrementally replaced fish meal at 250, 500, 750, and 1000 g kg-1 on crude protein basis. The five diets were fed to a total of 120 36-week- old Nera breed-laying chickens. Inclusion of various amounts of maggot meal in laying chicken diets had no significant impact on daily feed intake, hen-day egg production, egg weight, feed efficiency, and liveability. Aspects of egg external and internal quality characteristics measured were identical (P>0.05); however, albumen weight (as percent of egg weight) was significantly (

Effects of timing and duration of supplementation of <i>LIVFIT VET<sup></i>®</sup> (growth stimulant) as substitute for fish meal on the growth performance, haematology and clinical enzymes concentration of growing pigs

The present study is an evaluation of the purported growth promoting principles of LIVFIT VET® (Liver Formular), a commercial growth enhancer of Indian origin (DABUR AYURVET INDIA LIMITED) which is actually complex mixture of herbal extracts. The control diet (T1) had no LIVFIT VET® stimulant in it. LIVFIT VET® was fed continuously in the second treatment (T2) ration to the grower pigs for eight weeks. Treatment 3 (T3) had normal rations post weaning for four weeks and the stimulant from 11 weeks post weaning (late phase) till 15 weeks of age. The fourth ration (T4) had LIVFIT VET® added as a starter booster to the grower ration (1st Phase) for four weeks (week 7-11) and normal unsupplemented ration thereafter. Mean weekly and total feed intakes were highest in the pigs given the LIVFIT VET® as starter diet and also in the second phase of feeding (treatments T3 and T4. The lowest feed intake (

A 5 - year surveillance of wound infections at a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Wound infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence, aetiology and susceptibility profile of bacterial agents of wound infection among in- and- out patients at a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria, within a 5 year period. METHODS: Wound swabs collected from 156 out-patients and 353 in-patients were, cultured and microbial isolates identified using standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done on bacterial isolates. RESULTS: The prevalence of wound infection in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 was 71.4%, 76.2%, 74.5%, 61.5%, and 67.0% respectively. The overall prevalence of wound infection was 70.1%. In all the years studied, out-patients had a higher prevalence of wound infection, but this was significant in 2007, 2009, and 2010 only. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent pathogen in both in- and out - patients with the exception of 2009 where both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the same prevalence (24.4%) among in - patients. The flouroquinolones were the most potent antimicrobial agents against bacterial isolates from both in - and out -patients. CONCLUSION: Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant etiologic agent of wound infection among in and out patients. A generally higher resistance pattern was observed among nosocomial bacterial pathogens. Prudent use of antibiotics is recommended