Phenolic compounds occurrence and human health risk assessment in potable and treated waters in Western Cape, South Africa.

Phenolic pollutants from industrial and agricultural activities pose a major threat to the world's potable water supply. The persistent micro-pollutants often find their way into drinking water sources with possible adverse human health implications. In this study, bottled water, tap water, and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent samples from the Boland region of the Western Cape, South Africa were assessed to determine 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) levels using HPLC/DAD instrumentation.

Bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion with compensatory perfusion in a HIV-infected patient.

HIV infection occlusive arteriopathies may result in neurological symptoms. We report a case of bilateral complete occlusion of the extracranial portions of the internal carotid arteries in a HIV+ve patient who presented with a syncopal episode due to intraventricular haemorrhage. Compensatory blood flow from the posterior cerebral circulation via the circle of Willis resulted in small telangiectatic vessels arising from the posterior cerebral circulation which probably accounted for this rare haemorrhagic complication of an occlusive arteriopathy.

Efficacy of low-pressure foam cleaning compared to conventional cleaning methods in the removal of bacteria from surfaces associated with convenience food.

Background: Food borne illnesses and food poisoning are cause for concern globally. The diseases are often caused by food contamination with pathogenic bacteria due largely to poor sanitary habits or storage conditions.

Objectives: Prevalence of some bacteria on cleaned and sanitised food contact surfaces from eight convenience food plants in Gauteng (South Africa) was investigated with the view to evaluate the efficacy of the cleaning methods used with such food contact surfaces.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiverotoxic potentials of extracts of Curtisia dentata.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: There is an increase in antimicrobial resistance and complexities arising from verotoxic related bacterial infections as well as rise in demand for application of natural antioxidants to combat oxidative damage by free radicals in many oxidative stress-mediated disease conditions such as cancer. Thus the potential of Curtisia dentata as antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiverotoxin against environmental isolates of Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter spp. as well as the presence of phytochemicals and some organic compounds, was determined.

Virulence, resistance genes, and transformation amongst environmental isolates of Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter spp.

The association of verotoxic E. coli and Acinetobacter spp. with various antibiotic-resistant, diarrhogenic, and nosocomial infections has been a cause for concern worldwide.