Surgical procedures often lead to both intrinsic and extrinsic infections. In order to improve on recovery of patients, investigations were carried out on samples collected from patients during and after surgery. Laboratory analysis was performed on wound swabs from incision, colon segments, scrapes, tissues, pus and catheter specimen urine. The samples were cultured on MacConkey and Blood agar and incubated aerobically at 37 0 C for 16-24 hours. Thereafter, isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods. Results showed that isolates from wound were also found on endogenous indicators of surgery. Klebsiella species from incision was 15 (18.75%) while those from colon segment was 30(37.6%), scrapes 8(16%) and pus 3(7.5%). Acinetobacter species found on incision was 15(7.5%) and pus 7(2.3%). Pseudomonas species was distributed on incision 5(2.5%), colon segment 4(5%), tissue 3(1.6%), scrapes 5(10%) and pus was 5(12.5%). Staphylococcus aureus which was isolated from incision was 2(1%), while scrapes and pus were 5(10%) and 7(17.5%) respectively. Catheter associated urinary tract infections yielded significant bacteriuria (64.7%), almost twice the rate of non-significant bacteriuria (35.3%); indicating the need to remove all catheters as soon as possible. Antibiogram of isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae with resistance pattern: ApGnNaNt, Escherichia coli (ApCtNaTtCm) and S. aureus (ApChCxErPn) with plasmid sizes in the range (30.2-52.51Kb) were common to both indicators and wound, showing that the pathogens were the same clusters. This study demonstrated surgical procedures as precursory to intrinsic infections and that bacterial pathogens found on wounds and endogenous indicators of surgery are links to intrinsic infection. The study therefore emphasizes the need to culture wounds promptly to effect speedy recovery of patients who have undergone surgery.

Laboratory diagnosis of Chlamydia and vaginitis in sexually active females has been limited by unavailability of a sequential method/rapid technique for simple diagnosis. Six hundred (600) adult females from hotel/brothel, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Clinic, Obstetrics/Gynaecology Clinic, Family Planning Clinic and Healthy controls were investigated for Chlamydia, Candida, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis (BV). This was done using microscopy: wet mount, stained vaginal secretion and stained smear after culture. Results showed that there were 72% infections in the female groups. The brothel and STI group had infection in the range (70-86%). Chlamydial infection was highest in the STI group while Candida infection was highest in the healthy (control) females. Bacterial vaginosis was distributed in all groups. As pvalue increased, f-value increased indicating constant co-infection of Candida and BV in Chlamydia positive females. Microscopy by direct detection from sample and stained smear after culture were in the range: 56-86%. Direct microscopy for BV was 78.5% and stained smear after culture, 57.1%. Sensitivity and specificity of the techniques showed that detection of Chlamydia was less sensitive by direct microscopy of sample but sensitivity and specificity of stained smear after culture were high. Immunoassay (32.2%) was also less sensitive. Sensitivity and specificity of wet mount microscopy for Candida, Trichomoniasis and BV were in the range 62.5-80% and 62.5-97.8% respectively. Wet mount has high sensitivity and specificity for detecting agents of vaginitis and may be useful for routine use and for diagnosis where disease is absent, thus, making identification more cost effective.

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