Urinary Tract Infection in Pediatric Emergency Department of Mohamed VI Hospital in Marrakech: Epidemiological Profile and Antibiotic Resistance

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most frequent bacterial infections in pediatrics. The aim of our work was to establish the epidemiological and bacteriological profile of UTIs in children and then to study the sensitivity of the bacterial strains isolated to antibiotics. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study over 3 years (2019-2022), including all cytobacteriological examination of urine (CBEU), performed in children aged 3 months to 14 years, admitted and treated for UTI, in the pediatric emergency department of Mohamed VI University Hospital. Results: A total of 239 children were included in our study. The mean age was 26 months. The sex ratio was 1.08. Escherichia coli was the most isolated bacterial strain in 79% of samples. The tested strains showed a high level of sensitivity to susceptibility rate toward amikacin (91%) and ciprofloxacin (100%) and whereas the level of resistance was high to the most current recommended antibiotics, mainly beta-lactams. Management was based, in severe forms of pyelonephritis, dual antibiotic therapy based on Third-generation cephalosporins combined with gentamycin. Favorable outcome was noted in 94% of children. Conclusion: Awareness-raising on the proper use of antibiotics, issuing national recommendations for the treatment of urinary tract infections in order to standardize therapeutic regimens is strongly recommended. Effective control of these infections requires a global prevention strategy that implies close collaboration between epidemiologists, clinicians, bacteriologists, hygienists and the health care team.

Investigation on the Epidemiology and Pathogenesis Characteristics of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius-Associated Veterinary Hospital Infections

A retrospective analysis of the diagnostic laboratory submissions from 2016 to 2020 was performed to assess the antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and determine locations in the hospital which might be acting as environmental source(s). Previous studies have identified a significant increase in infections with S. pseudintermedius. Samples were taken from the hospital environment by swabbing areas in the intensive care unit and anesthesia preparation room and bacterial species identified. Isolates obtained from patients were then examined regarding the ability to form biofilm, an important phenotype on hospital-related infection. In addition, veterinary hospital associated strains of S. pseudintermedius were used to determine the bactericidal effect of the used disinfectant, applying the hospital current protocol, by comparing the efficacy against S. pseudintermediius and a strain of Staphylococcus aureus from a dog. The isolates identified were resistant to commonly used antibiotics such as enrofloxacin and cephalosporins, and 45% percent of those were methicillin resistant. The environmental survey in the hospital identified S. pseudintermedius in the pre-anesthesia area, although the isolate was killed by the current used disinfection protocol. A few disease associated bacteria were evaluated for biofilm formation in comparison to a dog isolate of Staphylococcus aureus, demonstrating strong ability to form biofilms.

Epidemiology of Mpox Outbreaks and Implications for Surveillance in Imo State, Nigeria

Mpox disease is caused by a double-stranded DNA virus, genus Orthopoxvirus of the family Poxviridae. The incubation period is usually 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days while symptoms and signs may persist for 2 to 5 weeks. Although, the clinical features are usually less severe when compared to the deadly smallpox, the disease can be fatal with case fatality rate between 1% and 10%. In Imo State, Nigeria, there has been a changing epidemiology of the disease in the last 6 years and the frequency and geographic distribution of cases have progressively increased. This study aims to conduct a review of the disease epidemiology between 2017 and 2023 and implications for surveillance in Imo State. Surveillance data from the Surveillance Outbreak Response and Management System (SORMAS) was extracted between January 2017 and December 2023 across the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Imo State. A line list of 231 suspected cases was downloaded into an excel template and analyzed using SPSS® version 20 software. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics and associations were tested using Fischer’s exact at 0.05 level of significance. Of the 231 suspected cases, 57.1% (132) were males, 42.9% (99) were females and the modal age group was between the ages of 0 - 4 (32.5%). Eight (8) LGAs (districts) accounted for 71% (n = 164) of all the suspected cases. 21.2% (49) were confirmed positive, 27 males (55.1%) and 22 females (44.9%) (p > 0.05). Modal age group was 20 - 24 (22.4%, n = 11), 18% (9) were children under 14 years, p > 0.05. Case fatality rate was 8% (n = 4). There was no significant association between mortality and age group. Five (5) LGAs accounted for about 60% (29) of all confirmed cases. These LGAs contribute only 20% to the total population in the State. Only 5.6% and 4% of suspected and confirmed cases, respectively, had knowledge of contact with an infectious source. The study described the epidemiology of Mpox outbreaks between 2017 and 2023 and the findings have significant implications on detection and outbreak response activities.

Molecular Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in North Sichuan Region, China, 2018-2023: A Descriptive Study

Background: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) remains an important public health problem in China. Many studies on the epidemiological characteristics of HFMD have been reported, but studies in North Sichuan region have been neglected. Methods: HFMD-related enterovirus infected cases were clinically confirmed and underwent real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) from May 2018 to October 2023 in Guangyuan Central Hospital. Results: During 2018-2023, other EV (437 cases, 81.08%) was the most predominant serotype followed by CV-A16 (94 cases, 17.44%), EV-A71 (8 cases, 1.48%) was the least predominant serotype. Peak infections occurred in July and October. There were no significant differences in gender, age and serotypes. HFMD was concentrated in children under 47 months of age, with the highest incidence in children aged 12 - 23 months and the highest proportion of other EV infections in the whole age group. COVID-19 did not cause significant changes in gender, age and serotype. Overall, there was a significant increase in the proportion of children aged 12 - 23 months infected with CV-A16, and an increase in the proportion of children aged over 36 months infected with other EVs. Conclusions: The incidence of HFMD caused by EV-A71 has decreased significantly, and other EVs have become the main pathogens of HFMD in North Sichuan region in recent years. In the prevention and control of CV-A16, more attention should be paid to children aged 12 - 23 months and the dominant serotype should be closely monitored. Our study highlights the importance of developing of new diagnostic reagents and vaccines for the prevention and control of enterovirus infection. This study for the first time provides insights into district interventions to local conditions.

Measurement,associations,patterns,and promotion:Unveiling vital areas in physical activity epidemiology

Physical activity(PA)epidemiology first emerged as a new field of study around the 1950s with publication of seminal investigations on London civil servants1 and has continued to evolve as a scientific discipline to present time.This subdiscipline of epidemiology studies the frequencies,distributions,and dynamics of PA and its impact on human health,morbidity,and mortality.Research over the past 75 years has demonstrated numerous health benefits of PA.Based on these research findings,the World Health Organization recommends adults aged 18-64 years engage in at least 150-300 min of moderate-intensity aerobic PA per week,or at least 75-150 min of vigorous-intensity aerobic PA per week,or a combination of both intensities.

Knowledge of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) among Medical Students in a Tertiary Hospital in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) remain a common cause of death, functional disability, emotional suffering and economic burden among hospitalized patients. Knowledge of HAIs is important in its prevention and control. This study seeks to assess the knowledge of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) among medical students in a Tertiary Hospital in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done in October 2019 among clinical medical students using a Multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using the IBM SPSS 20 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Ethical approval was granted by Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Ethics Committee, Jos, Plateau State. Results: A total of 219 students in the clinical arm of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences were selected. A higher proportion (97.7%) of respondents knew about Hospital Acquired Infections and 85.4% knew that Hospital Acquired infections occur in the hospital, and (86.3%) considered patients contagious with half (58.9%) considered patients as the most important source of HAIs, followed by care givers (13.2%), then doctors including medical students and interns (10.0%) and lastly nurses (8.7%). The majority of respondents (70.8%) considered Surgical Wound Infections to be the most commonly occurring HAI, followed by UTIs (69.9%), RTIs (61.2%), BSIs (37.0%) and others (0.9%). The clinical thermometer was the instrument that most commonly transmits HAIs (82.6%), then followed by stethoscope (62.1%), white coats (53.9%), and blood pressure cuff (51.1%). Most respondents knew the infectious substances, like blood (96.3%), nasal discharge (82.6%), saliva (85.3%), and faeces (79.4%) transmitted HAIs, 72.6% of the respondents said that they were aware of the recommended hand washing techniques by WHO. Conclusion: The majority of students 91.3% had good knowledge while 8.7% had poor knowledge of HAIs. Lower classes had more respondents with poor knowledge. This finding was statistically significant (p = 0.002, Chi-square 12.819). Students are encouraged to keep up the level of knowledge they have about HAIs. These students can help improve the knowledge of those whose knowledge level is low. Government and NGOs should support sponsorship for capacity-building events targeted at HAIs for healthcare workers and medical students.

Spontaneous Infection of Ascites Fluid at the National and University Hospital Hubert Koutoukou Maga in Cotonou: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Background: Spontaneous ascites fluid infection (SAFI) is an extremely serious and frequently encountered complication in cirrhotic patients. We aimed to determine the prevalence of SAFI and the factors associated with it in the largest hospital in Cotonou. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive and analytical study conducted from January 2013 to July 2019, at the National and University Hospital Hubert Koutoukou Maga (CNHU-HKM) in Cotonou, Benin. All patients followed in the University Clinic of Hepato-Gastroenterology and diagnosed with SAFI were included. Results: Eighty-two patients were included, predominantly males (69.5%), with a mean age of 51.5 ± 14.5 years. Among them, 32 had SAFI, i.e., a prevalence of 39%. Of the 32 cases of SAFI, the culture of ascites fluid was positive in 6 cases (18.7%). The most frequent germ found in SAFI was Escherichia coli (5 patients, 83.3%). The factors associated with SAFI in this study were: abdominal pain (p = 0.004), increased bilirubinemia (p = 0.009), decreased prothrombin level 20 (p = 0.001). Conclusion: SAFI was common in cirrhotic patients in the department. Certain clinical and paraclinical factors were associated with it, as was the severity of cirrhosis. Early diagnosis and aetiological management of cirrhosis could reduce its frequency.

Epidemiology and current management of cardiovascular disease in China

The Annual Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China(2022) intricate landscape of cardiovascular health in China. This is the fourth section of the report with a specific focus on epidemiology and current management of cardiovascular disease(CVD) in China. This section of the report highlights the epidemiological trends of CVD in China. It reveal a concerning rise in prevalence, with approximately 330 million affected individuals, including significant numbers with stroke, coronary artery disease(CAD), heart failure, and other conditions. CVD stands as the primary cause of mortality among both urban and rural populations, accounting for nearly half of all deaths in 2020. Mortality rates are notably higher in rural areas compared to urban centers since 2009. While age-standardized mortality rates have decreased, the absolute number of CVD deaths has increased, primarily due to population aging. Ischemic heart disease, hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes are the leading causes of CVD-related deaths. Notably, the burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has risen substantially, with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease-related deaths increasing from 1990 to 2016. The incidence of ischemic stroke and ischemic heart disease has shown similar increasing trends over the past three decades. CAD mortality, particularly acute myocardial infarction, has been on the rise, with higher mortality rates observed in rural areas since 2016. The prevalence of CAD has increased significantly, with over 11 million patients identified in 2013. Studies assessing hospital performance in managing acute coronary syndrome reveal gaps in adherence to guideline-recommended strategies, with disparities in care quality across hospitals. However, initiatives like the China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events(PEACE)-Retrospective AMI Study and the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome(CCC-ACS) project aim to improve patient outcomes through enhanced care protocols. Moreover, advancements in medical technology, such as quantitative flow ratio-guided lesion selection during percutaneous coronary intervention, show promise in improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing intervention.

Reinfection and Risk Factors of SARS-CoV-2 during an Omicron Wave 2022 in Shanghai

Multiple waves of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) outbreaks have affected numerous countries worldwide. The first case of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection was reported in Hong Kong in August 2020^([1]), leading to increased interest in the effectiveness of natural immunity acquired from primary infection. While data reports vary across countries, all findings indicate that prior SARS-CoV-2 infection provides substantial protection against reinfection^([2]). However, natural immunity from infection with previous non-Omicron or early Omicron sub-lineages offers lower levels of protection against Omicron reinfection, with rates below 60%^([3]) and approximately 75%[4], respectively.

A case of Rickettsia felis infection-induced encephalitis in a pregnant woman

Rickettsia felis is an exclusively cytozoic Gram-negative prokaryote with cat fleas as the major vectors.[1]As early as 1918,Rickettsia felis was detected in cat fleas in Europe and named Rickettsia ctenocephali.[2]Symptoms of fever,malaise,headache,maculopapular rash and eschar are observed in patients with Rickettsia felis infection.

The Place of Nursing Theory in the Management of Post-Operative Infections in a Hospital Environment: Case of Cibitoke District Hospital

Introduction: Post-operative infections, such as surgical site infections (SSIs), are a significant concern in healthcare settings. Nurses play a crucial role in the prevention and management of these infections. The use of nursing theory could contribute to the prevention of SSIs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of nursing theory in the management of surgical site infections (SSIs) in a hospital environment. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using descriptive and analytical methods to assess the role of nursing theory in the management of Post-operative infections (POI) in a hospital setting in October 2023. The study population consisted of nurses working in the Surgery, Emergency, and Maternity units at Cibitoke District Hospital. A sample size of 71 nurses working full or part time in the Surgery were invited to participate in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect the data, and SPSS version 21.0 software was used for analysis. Results: The study found that nursing theory did not have any statistically significant place in the management of POI (p-value = 0.523). However, the results showed that experience was the only significant factor influencing the management of POI (p-value = 0.004). This is explained by the analysis of the net effects of the explanatory variable where we noticed that those who had more experience were more likely to manage post-operative infections. The participants’ knowledge regarding nursing theory in the management was poor as they scored less than 30% in all the variables used to measure their knowledge. Conclusion: The study revealed that nurses’ knowledge of nursing theories and their applications in the management of SSIs was poor. Continuing professional development, curriculum review, and in-service training were highly recommended.

Thoracic spine infection caused by Pseudomonas fluorescens:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND The clinical incidence of spinal infection is gradually increasing,and its onset is insidious,easily leading to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis,which may lead to serious complications such as nervous system dysfunction,spinal instability and/or deformity,and cause a huge burden on society and families.Early identification of the causative agent and precision medicine will greatly reduce the suffering of patients.At present,the main pathogenic bacteria that cause spinal infection are Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus,Pneumococcus,Escherichia coli,and Klebsiella.There are no reports of spinal infection caused by Pseudomonas fluorescens.CASE SUMMARY We report a 32-year-old female patient with spinal infection.She presented with flank pain,initially thought to be bone metastases or bone tuberculosis,and had a family background of tumors.Her clinical features and changes in imaging and laboratory tests led to the suspicion of thoracic spine infection.Histopathology of the lesion showed inflammation,tissue culture of the lesion was negative several times,and the possible pathogen-Pseudomonas fluorescens was found after gene sequencing of the lesion.The patient recovered completely after a full course of antibiotic treatment.CONCLUSION This report increases the range of pathogens involved in spinal infections,highlights the unique advantages of gene sequencing technology in difficult-todiagnose diseases,and validates conservative treatment with a full course of antibiotics for spinal infections without complications.

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used for Treating Urinary Tract Infections in N’Djamena (Chad)

Introduction: Infection disease is a real publique health problem. The rise of resistance for modern antibiotic in infections treatment imposed us order alternatives. The study objective was to contribute in the knowledge of medicinal plants uses in urinary infections treatment in N’Djamena (Chad) in view for amelioration the traditional medicine in future. Methodology: The study was conducted in the city of N’Djamena in the Republic of Chad that interviewed 60 traditherapists on using 11 plants for urinary tract infections treatment. The methodology of this study consisted of the knowledge of medicinal plants that used by traditherapists, and the plants identification was done in the laboratory of IRED at Farcha. Results: A total of 60 traditherapists was interrogated on the plants used in the treatment of urinary tract infections among the population of N’Djamena. The majority of traditherapists interrogated in this study were male with the rate of 61.67% against female with the rate of 38.33%. The age range of traditherapists was between 20 to 80 years, 25 (41.67%) from the age range between 30 - 50 years and 35 (58.33%) in age range from 50 to 70 years. For the origin of their knowledge, the study showed that 72% of traditherapists inherited the knowledge from their family, while 15% inherited from the family and from training. The ethnic groups of the traditherapists were Sara (16%), Maraba (12%) and Massa (11%). According to the results, 18.33% were illiterates, 49% attended primary school and 33.34% the secondary school. Our study found that 11 species of plants belonging to 11 families were used in the treatment of urinary tract infection and the Ziziphus spina-christi was the most represented. According to traditherapists the Ziziphus spina-christi, Cassia obovata and Euphorbia hirta were the most frequent plants used in the urinary tract infections treatment. The parts of plants used in the treatment were leaves and bark, grained leaves and entire plants with the proportion of 50%, 16.67 and 15% respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that the medicinal plants are variously used in the treatment of infection urinary tract in the city of N’Djamena.

Epidemiology of EGFR Mutation in Adenocarcinoma NSCLC Patients in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Studies reporting the Indian prevalence of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutation are mostly single centers with small sample sizes. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarized the available evidence of EGFR mutation epidemiology in Indian patients with adenocarcinoma (ADC) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). We conducted a structured literature search in PubMed, and EMBASE databases from January 2004 through October 2019. The primary outcome of interest was prevalence of EGFR mutation by gender, smoking status, and mutation subtype. The review included 34 studies. EGFR mutation prevalence was 39.5% in patients with ADC, and significantly higher in females, non-smokers, and patients with exon 19 deletions. The EGFR mutation frequency in Indian patients with ADC was higher than reported in Caucasians but at a lower range of that reported in East Asians. These findings support the use of EGFR mutation testing to guide choice of treatment.

A Comparative Study of Myocardial Damage Caused by Novel Coronavirus Infection and Influenza A Virus Infection in Children during the COVID-19 Epidemic Period

Objective: To explore the comparative study of myocardial damage in children infected with COVID-19 and influenza A virus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Retrospective analysis of myocardial injury caused by COVID-19 infection and influenza A virus infection in children during the COVID-19 from October 2022 to May 2023, including 106 cases of COVID-19 infection, that is, the COVID-19 group;And 164 cases of influenza A virus infection, namely, H1N1 group;Two groups were tested for various indicators of myocardial enzyme spectrum, and the situation of myocardial injury was compared between the two groups. Result: In the enrolled cases, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence rate of men and women in the COVID-19 group (P > 0.05);There was no statistically significant difference in the average age between men and women (P > 0.05);The comparison of the incidence rates between males and females in the H1N1 group showed a statistically significant difference (P 0.05);There was no statistically significant difference in the average age between the two groups of girls (P > 0.05). A comparison between two groups of various indicators of myocardial enzyme spectra showed that the results of AST, -HBDH and LDH were statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: Both COVID-19 infection and influenza A virus infection in children have different degrees of myocardial damage, but COVID-19 infection causes more myocardial damage than influenza A virus infection, and influenza A virus is more prone to myocardial infarction, which deserves our attention.

Practice of Infection Prevention and Control Strategies in Risk Departments during the COVID-19 Epidemic

Objective: To explore the practice and application of infection prevention and control strategies in risk departments during the COVID-19 epidemic, and to formulate the infection prevention and control measures to provide advice and guidance in risk departments. Methods: According to the latest plan of diagnosis and treatment, prevention and control issued by the National Health Commission, expert advice and consensus, combined with the actual situation in our hospital, a series of infection prevention and control measures of COVID-19 in risk department was formulated. Results: During the epidemic period, the prevention and control measures of nine risk departments including emergency operation, anesthesiology, endoscopy center, blood purification center, otolaryngology, stomatology, medical imaging department, medical cosmetology department and pulmonary function room were established from six aspects, including pre-examination and screening, medical technology control, personnel management, personal protection, environmental disinfection, medical waste disposal, etc. Conclusion: During the epidemic period, the infection prevention and control strategy of risk departments is one of the key links to control the spread of the epidemic, and risk departments must pay attention to and strictly implement various infection prevention and control measures.

Risk Factors in Surgical Site Infections

Purpose of the Research: Our study aimed to determine and understand the risk factors of surgical site infections in patients operated on in general surgery wards. Method of Research: Between May 2008 and November 2008, 422 consecutive patients who underwent emergency and elective surgeries, excluding breast, goitre and laparoscopic surgeries, were included in the study to determine surgical site infections and risk factors. The patients’ risk factors were selected in the preoperative period, and postoperative 3rd, 7th, and 30th days were checked by the physician responsible for conducting the study regarding surgical site infection. Results and Conclusion: Surgical site infections were defined as incisional and organ/space based on NNIS data. Gender, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, degree of contamination, ASA score ≥ 3, preoperative skin cleansing, duration of intensive care unit stay, duration of hospital stay, growth in wound culture, duration of surgery and incision length were determined as risk factors increasing CAI rates. Especially the degree of contamination, duration of intensive care unit stay, hospitalisation, duration of operation, and growth in wound culture were decisive factors in the development of CAI. As a result of our study, in the light of these data, we concluded that to prevent the development of CAI can be modified, interventions to foreseeable factors can be assessed.

Infection in Multiple Myeloma: Microbiological Profile and Prognosis in Senegalese Patients

Introduction: Infections are additional factors of morbidity and mortality in multiple myeloma (MM), and the current recommendation is antibiotic prophylaxis. In sub-Saharan Africa, few data on infectious complications of MM are available. We aim to describe the microbiological features of infections in MM, and their impact on survival in Senegalese patients. Methods: A retrospective (January 2005-January 2022), analytic, multicenter study on infections in patients followed for MM (IMWG criteria) in Senegalese clinical hematology services. The socio-epidemiological, diagnostic, microbiological, evolutionary and survival aspects were analyzed. Results: The study included 106 patients with multiple myeloma who had an infection at admission or during the treatment. Ten patients have the comorbidity (hypertension, lupus, type 2 diabetes). These patients had 136 infectious events identified at diagnosis (79.2%) or during chemotherapy (20.8%). The sites of infection are lung (42.6%), urinary (29.4%), dermatological (6.6%), digestive (5.2%), osteoarticular (4.4%), ear, nose and throat (3.7%), central nervous system (1.5%), or without site. We recorded 26.4% of patients with multi-site infections. The causal pathogens are bacteria (Gram-negative bacilli: 22.1%;Gram positive bacilli: 9.5%, Mycobacterium tuberculosis: 13.3%), parasitique (plasmodium falciparum 6.6%), viruses (SARS-COV2: 2.9%, VZV: 2.2%) and fungal (2.9%). Survival was reduced in patients who had an infection at the time of multiple myeloma diagnosis (p: 0.189) and those who had multiple infectious foci (p: 0.011). Conclusion: Infections in multiple myeloma are more frequent at diagnosis. The germs are varied and mostly bacteria, particularly gram-negative bacteria, and Kochs bacillus. Our study reveals that multiple infectious foci are a poor prognosis factor. It is necessary to evaluate the infectious risk early, and to adopt an antibiotic prophylaxis based on our tropical environment.

Clinical and Bacteriological Profile of Infections in Sickle Cell Children in Two Referral Hospitals in Niamey, Niger

Introduction: Infections are significant causes of mortality in sickle cell children in resource-limited countries. This study aimed to determine the clinical profile and bacterial ecology of infections in children with sickle-cell disease in two referral hospitals in Niamey. Patients and methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted from January 2018 to July 2020 in two referral hospitals in Niamey. All children aged one (1) to 15 years with sickle cell disease admitted for suspected infection, including at least one bacterial culture, were studied. Bacteriological analysis was performed using the appropriate culture media, using BactAlert (Reference 4700003 BTA3D60 BioMérieux). Results: Over 36-months, 350 children with a mean age of 10.9 months were admitted. The sex ratio was 1.2. The SS electrophoretic profile was the most common (93.4%). Immunization status was up to date in 66% of patients. Fever was the common reason for consultation (55.1%). Infection was confirmed in 62 patients (17.7%). The primary diagnoses were bacterial gastroenteritis (24.2%) and urinary tract infection (19.4%). Blood cultures were isolated from Salmonella typhi (13.0%) and Escherichia coli (8.7%). Klebsiella spp (7.1%) and Escherichia coli (5.0%) were detected in cytobacteriological examination of urine. Salmonella typhi (23.5%) and Escherichia coli (5.9%) were isolated on coproculture. Conclusion: Bacterial ecology appears not different from that usually observed in sickle-cell children. Salmonella and Escherichia coli were predominant.

A 10-year review and epidemiology of animal bite cases in Gerash city, south of Iran: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Objective:To determine the temporal trend and epidemiology of animal bite cases in Gerash City,Iran.Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 630 cases of people with animal bites between 2011 and 2021 in Gerash City.The collected data were analyzed using Chi-square test.Results:The mean age of victims was(30.9±17.5)years.80.54%Of victims were male,39.70%were self-employed,and 64.60%were adults(≥18 years).Most cases of bites occurred in 2019(91 cases),2020(74 cases)and 2021(87 cases),and most of the bites were related to the upper limbs(62.70%).Most of the wounds were superficial(78%),most of the biting animals were domestic animals(91.74%),and most of the victims had Iranian nationality(97.62%).Conclusions:Given the increasing trend of animal bites in Gerash City,health authorities should carry out basic measures such as education and awareness among the public,especially at-risk groups such as adult males.Additionally,since most cases of bites are due to dogs,it seems necessary to plan for vaccination of dogs,especially those with owners.