RESUMO
Seroprevalence of human toxocariasis was studied, based on 1544 samples selected from a total of 3524 submitted to the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica for diagnosis of dengue during an epidemic in 2010. The prevalence of anti-Toxocara IgG using the CELISA® (Cellabs) ELISA was 21.2% and males (24.4%) were significantly more likely to be exposed than females (17.5%) [χ2 =10.4; p=0.001]. No association was foundbetween exposure to Toxocara and area of residence (rural vs. urban) [χ2 =0.835; p = 0.409]. Prevalence of infection peaked in adolescents (10-19 years-old) and declined thereafter although a rise in prevalence was seen in older age classes. There was a high prevalence of toxocariasis in Jamaica with significant exposure among school age children with no predilection to either sex. The study will inform future work on elucidating the public health and clinical significance of toxocariasis in Jamaica.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Aminoglycosides were introduced into use over 60 years ago. The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), a tertiary care teaching hospital, in Kingston, Jamaica, introduced the use of gentamicin in 1973 and amikacin in 1980. This report examined the susceptibility patterns to these agents in 1547 consecutive isolates of Gram negative bacilli (GNB) encountered between September 1 and November 30, 2011, at UHWI and compares the data with those observed previously in 1981 at the same institution. METHODS: The Vitek 2 (bioMeriéux, Durham, NC) was used for isolate identification, minimum inhibitory concentration determination and aminoglycoside susceptibility testing. Quality control was done using American Type Culture Collection standard strains of E coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). RESULTS: Of the 1547 organisms, 267 had resistance to one or both aminoglycosides. Amikacin resistance increased from 0.6% (1981) to 7.2% [2011] (p < 0.05), while gentamicin resistance increased from 6.7% to 14.8% (p < 0.05) for the corresponding period. The majority of samples with aminoglycoside resistant organisms came from the intensive care unit and surgical inpatients. Urine samples persistently produced the largest amount of gentamicin resistant isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Although there has been a statistically significant rise in aminoglycoside resistance, aminoglycosides continue to remain highly effective against approximately 83% of GNB despite continuous usage at this institution for over three decades. Continued national surveillance, implementation of infection control policies and antibiotic stewardship are all essential in retaining low resistance levels.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are susceptible to bacterial infections, especially those caused by encapsulated organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae which is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in early childhood. Preventive measures such as penicillin prophylaxis and immunisation are therefore required. Although penicillin is the mainstay of prophylaxis, pneumococcal vaccination is also important for defence against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). AIM: To determine the prevalence of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination among patients with SCD diagnosed by newborn screening, and the incidence of IPD in this group of patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study, data were obtained from the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) log books and the electronic clinic database. Patients' dockets were searched to confirm their vaccine status if they were over 4 years of age and PPV data had not been found by the above methods. Episodes of invasive pneumococcal disease (sepsis or meningitis) were obtained from the clinic database. Data were analysed using STATA version 9. RESULTS: Ninety-one per cent of participating patients in the study population who were eligible for PPV had been appropriately immunised. Also, 94.8% of patients with a severe form of SCD had appropriately received PPV. The incidence rate of IPD was 480/100,000 person years in the study population and 160/100,000 person years in patients over 4 years of age. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of PPV administration in children with SCD diagnosed by newborn screening had a significant impact on the incidence of IPD with improved patient outcomes.