Molecular Detection of Resistance and Virulence Genes in Coagulase Negative Staphylococci Isolated from Blood Cultures at the University Teaching Hospital of Bouake

Introduction: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are currently recognized as genuine pathogens. However, little is known about the resistance and virulence genes that explain their pathogenicity in hospitals in Cte d'Ivoire. The aim of this study was to contribute to the genotypic identification of resistance and virulence genes in CoNS isolated from blood cultures at the University Teaching Hospital (CHU) of Bouak, in order to improve patient management. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted from September to December 2023. The CoNS isolates studied came from the collection of strains isolated from blood cultures of febrile patients hospitalized or attending consultations at the CHU of Bouak. The strains were analyzed using conventional simplex PCR. Results: Of the 45 isolates analyzed, 46.7% carried both the aacA-aphD and tetK genes and 40% carried the mecA gene. With regard to virulence genes, only the LukS-PV gene was observed in S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus isolates. Conclusion: The high prevalence of CoNS isolates carrying the mecA gene and the presence of virulence genes observed in this study give cause for concern in hospitals. It is important to develop comprehensive surveillance strategies against nosocomial and multi-resistant infections at the CHU of Bouak.

Abiotic Factors Associated with Abundance Dynamics and Antibiotic Multidrug Resistance of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis Isolated from Some Ombessa Aquatic Systems (Central Cameroon Region)

The present study conducted in the town of Ombessa aims to assess the influence of abiotic factors on the abundance dynamics and antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis isolated from some aquatic systems from February to July 2022, monthly samples were taken at 10 water points used by the population (8 groundwater points and 2 surface water points). Samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, electrical conductivity. Bacteriological variables such as BHAM, E. coli and E. faecalis abundances were also assessed. Antibiotic susceptibility of E. coli and E. faecalis was assessed using 06 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer diffusion disk method. The results show that bacterial abundances were the highest in surface waters. Bacterial densities were the highest in May and the lowest in February. The average densities recorded were 3845 CFU/100mL for BHAM, 380 CFU/100mL for E. coli and 14 CFU/100mL for E. faecalis in groundwater;and 8583 CFU/100mL for BHAM, 6878 CFU/100mL for E. coli and 812 CFU/100mL for E. faecalis in surface water. Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that these bacterial species are sensitive to Gentamicin, Chloramphenicol, Azithromycin and Ciprofloxacin. They are all resistant to Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole, E. coli is resistant to Doxycycline and E. faecalis has an intermediate sensitivity to Gentamicin. Overall, the Multiresistance to Antibiotics (MRA) indices obtained were above 0.2, indicating the presence of multidrug resistance in bacterial communities. The physico-chemical properties of the water varied over time and space, but on the whole remained below the threshold values of WHO guidelines. The degree of linkage between abiotic water variables and bacteriological parameters has shown that bacterial densities are more abundant in rainy seasons and increased O2 levels favor bacterial growth, while TSS, CO2 and dissolved nitrate levels affect the sensitivity of these bacterial species to antibiotics.

Epidemiologic Profile Urinary Tract Infections: Experience of the Microbiology Laboratory of the University Hospital Mohamed VI in Tangier

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections in humans. The urine cytobacteriological examination is the key test for its diagnosis. This work aims to Evaluate the prevalence of urinary tract infection at the Microbiology Laboratory of the University Hospital Mohamed VI in Tangier and to highlight its epidemiological and bacteriological characteristics. It was a descriptive study with retrospective data collection which took place from January 2021 to June 2022, at the Microbiology Laboratory of the university hospital Mohamed VI in Tangier. It covered all urine cytobacteriological examinations (ECBU) during the study period. We identified 77 cases of urinary tract infections out of 300 requests for (ECBU), that is a positivity rate of 25 %. The mean age was 55 years. The male gender was predominant. The epidemiological profile of the isolated strains was dominated by Enterobacteriaceae 81 %, followed by Gram-positive cocci 11 % and non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria 8 %. The main bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections in order of frequency: Escherichia coli 42 %, Klebsiella pneumoniae 20 %, Enterobacter cloacae 9 %, Staphylococcus aureus 6 %, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 5 % and Acinetobacter baumannii 3%. Most of the analyzed organisms showed resistance, especially to the beta-lactam antibiotic;the enterobacteria strains isolated had revealed resistance to amoxicillin: 74%, to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in 40% of cases, and to third-generation cephalosporins in 24%. In terms of resistance mechanisms, 11 % of the Enterobacteriaceae were extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers and 9 % of the specimens were identified as carbapenemase producers. Of the Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated, 75% were resistant to meticillin. The Glycopeptides and linezolid were the most active molecules on these isolated strains. 15% of Enterococcus species isolated in our laboratory were resistant to glycopeptides (vancomycin and teicoplanin).

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Susceptibility by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>Isolated from the Nutrition Service of a Teaching Hospital

The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus is found in the nasal passages, mouth and skin of the human population and stands out among foodborne diseases. Some causes of foodborne illness are related with food, handlers, and utensils contamination in a hospital’s nutrition service. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of S. aureus in food handlers, equipment, counter-tops and utensils of the nutrition service of a teaching hospital. Samples of the environment, hands and nasal mucosa of employees of a nutrition service were collected with two sterile swabs, in 2016, March and June. A total of 134 samples were obtained, which were submitted to characterization tests Biochemistry and morphotinorial (gram staining, catalase and coagulase tests in tube), phenotypic evaluation by drug diffusion technique and D-test approach, and the biofilm phenotype characterization by culture on Congo Red Agar. Results showed high rates of S. aureus colonization, mainly in the kitchen, high frequency of antimicrobial resistance, especially erythromycin and the presence of multi-resistant microorganisms. Large number of positive samples was also found for biofilm production, with totality for the samples of handlers. We highlight the relevance of the data in virtue of the serious consequences and risks that can be triggered in the hospital environment.

Multiresistant bacterial infections in liver cirrhosis: Clinical impact and new empirical antibiotic treatment policies

Recently, important changes have been reported regarding the epidemiology of bacterial infections in liver cirrhosis. There is an emergence of multiresistant bacteria in many European countries and also worldwide, including the United States and South Korea. The classic empirical antibiotic treatment(third-generation cephalosporins, e.g., ceftriaxone, cefotaxime or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid) is still effective in infections acquired in the community, but its failure rate in hospital acquired infections and in some health-care associated infections is high enough to ban its use in these settings. The current editorial focuses on the different epidemiology of bacterial infections in cirrhosis across countries and on its therapeutic implications.

Breeding for multiresistant rice varieties

From 1977 to 1987, new rice varieties Xiangkang 32xuan 5, Xiangzaoxian 3 and HA79317—4 were bred. They had resistance to bacterial blight (BB), rice blast (BL), brown planthopper(BPH), whitebacked planthopper (WBPH), with high-yielding and good rice quality.