International Medical Publisher Journals (iMedPub)
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A case study of COVID-19 in the Arab Middle East and North Africa with a focus on Jordan during the year 2020
Get PDFThis article aims to provide a model by using cumulative cases for SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) outbreak in most major countries with focusing on the Jordanian experience and response in combating COVID-19.
On March 2nd, 2020, Jordan reported the first confirmed cases of COVIDâ€19. Although, Jordan was among the first countries to implement highly strict preventive and control measures, the outbreak started around 1st October, 2020 (7 months later), after that there was a significant increase in the number of confirmed cases.
However, there are always opportunities to learn from the global experience to improve the current national strategy
Antimicrobial resistance of bacterial isolates from the clinical and hospital environment in Gaza Strip, Palestine: A review over 20-year
Get PDFAntimicrobial resistance is a serious threatening problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. The majority of pathogenic bacteria show multiple drug resistance patterns. Thus, treatment of infections caused by those bacteria become ineffective. This paper evaluates, investigates, and discusses the existing situation of antimicrobial resistance in Gaza Strip, Palestine.
The data of this review considered the published articles over the period 2002-2021. Search was conducted using Google scholar, Researchgate, and PubMed search engines. Thirty five articles were included. This review discussed studies done on antibiotic resistant bacteria found in a wide range of environments including clinical samples, foods, poultry, costal water, hospital wastewater, and hospital environments. The reported dissemination and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria is influenced by several factors like inappropriate and unwise use of antibiotics as well as the un-regulated access of these antibiotics to the environment.
Palestine is in urgent need to develop, strengthen, and implement antimicrobial stewardship policy, standard treatment guidelines, a local plan for containment and reduction of antimicrobial resistance, and research related to public health aspects of antimicrobial resistance at the community and hospital level.
Keywords; Antimicrobial resistance, Gaza strip, Palestin
Generación de la huella ecológica en el personal de los 3 sectores de la población de la UAO/UAZ, Zacatecas, México
Get PDFEs importante reconocer que lo que se realiza a diario en el área de trabajo, tiene una relación muy estrecha con la huella ecológica. Un problema grave es el desperdicio de agua y energÃa eléctrica, cuando a veces no es necesario en el trabajo, ya que son esencial para poder desempeñar las actividades, por eso se necesita tomar conciencia de esto y usar los servicios de luz y agua solo cuando se requiera. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar la huella ecológica del personal de los tres sectores de la población de la Unidad Académica de OdontologÃa UAZ. La presente investigación consistió en: Aplicación de encuestas personales al sector alumnos, docentes y trabajadores. Resultados: Respecto al transporte público se determinó que el sector trabajador y alumnos son los que más lo utilizan. En la alimentación un 55% del sector alumnos consume alimentos en su hogar, el 50% del sector docente lo hace en la cafeterÃa escolar y el 48% del sector trabajador en casa. Referente a si se encuentra prendida la luz al inicio de las actividades, los tres sectores mencionan que sà en un gran porcentaje; asà mismo un uso inadecuado del agua. Se sugiere dentro de lo posible, usar el transporte público y usar el vehÃculo lo indispensable o colectivamente. Se propone optimizar el uso de equipo y aparatos que requieran consumo de energÃa, se recomienda utilizar lámparas ahorradoras de energÃa tipo LED. Siendo indispensable adquirir los conocimientos adecuados sobre la gestión de los RPBI de acuerdo con la NOM-O87ECOL-SSA1-2002.
El riego de los jardines por las mañanas y tardes. De la misma forma el agua utilizada en lavabos y depósitos de baños, se sustituya por agua reciclada por medio de sistemas de ahorro.
Palabras clave: Generación, huella-ecológica, población, UAO/UAZ.It is important to recognize that what we daily do in our jobs, has a very tight relationship with the ecological footprint. A serious problem is that we are wasting water and electricity, when sometimes it’s not necessary in our working areas, both elements water and electricity are essential to do our daily duties, that is why we need to create awareness and use these utilities only when are required. The objective of this study is to assess the ecological footprint from the three sectors of population from the academic unit of Dentistry UAZ. This research consisted in: Personal surveys applied to the sector of students, professors and staff. Results: in regards to the use of public transportation, it was concluded that staff and students are those who use it the most. With regards to nutrition, 55% of the students eat at home, 50% of the professors do it at the coffee shop of the university and 48% of the staff eats at home. With reference to whether if the lights are turned on at the moment of starting the academic activities, the three sectors agreed with it in a high proportion; also, the three sectors state that doesn’t exists an efficient use of water. It is suggested if possible, to use the public transport and the car only if necessary or travel in groups instead. It is proposed to use only if is absolutely necessary, all the equipment and devices that require a lot of electric energy consumption and it is recommended to use LED type energy efficient lamps. It is also suggested to acquire the proper knowledge about the RPBI (biological/infectious hazardous waste), in accordance with the NOM-O87ECOL-SSA1-2002. It is advisable to water gardens only in the morning, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., or in the afternoon, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Similarly for the water used in the sink and the toilet deposit, it is proposed to use recycled water with saving systems instead.
Key Words: Generation, ecological-footprint, population, UAO/UAZ.
 
Susceptibility of multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogens for the new antimicrobial agents in Jordan
No full textBackground
To study resistance rates of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR) for new Cephalosporines before their widespread use in Jordan.
Methods
During September 2019 - May 2020, MDR-bacteria were prospectively collected from microbiology laboratories of three hospitals, susceptibility of the extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL), K. pneumoniae-carbapenemases strains (KPC), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPa), carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAb), and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were tested. Demographic details for patients were identified. Antimicrobials evaluated were ceftazidime-avibactam, ceftolozane-tazobactam, and ceftobiprole medocaril.
Results
Non-duplicate 263 MDR clinical isolates were collected from sterile sites; ESBL (128), P. aeruginosa (57), MRSA (37), KPC (22), A. baumannii (11), and CRE (n = 8). The age was dominated by the older age group (Age > 64, Pearson R = 0.985, R2 = 0.969, P = 0.000). Males were 143 and females 107 (P < 0.000). There were (194) isolate from the wards and (55) were from the ICUs. Sources were urine (96), blood (36), soft tissues (49), abdomen (24), URT (14), and osteo-skeletal (12). Clinical diagnoses were: UTI (90). Bacteremia (36), SSTI (45), IAI (23), pneumonia (17), URTI (13), osteomyelitis (11), and diabetic foot (6). The susceptibility of the ESBL-producing bacteria was 100% for meropenem, 99% for ceftazidime-avibactam, and 90% for ceftolozane/tazobactam. P. aeruginosa was, 73% for ceftazidime-avibactam, 62% susceptible to ceftolozane/tazobactam, 62% for meropenem, and 45% to ceftobiprole. CRE was 38% susceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam and KPC 15%, while ceftolozane-tazobactam susceptibility was zero, and 14% for CRE, and 0% for Ceftobiprole Medocaril. A. baumannii was 13% susceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam, meropenem 9%, and 2% for ceftolozane/tazobactam
Conclusion
Ceftazidime-avibactam and ceftolozane/tazobactam may be useful alternatives for the treatment of ESBL-producers and P. aeruginosa, though the MDR-bacteria demonstrated some resistance to the newly introduced agents before their widespread use in the country.
 
Evaluation of antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of stingless bee Trigona honey (Malaysia) against Streptococcus pneumoniae
Get PDFBackground: The study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Trigona honey against S. pneumonia. Methods: The effect of Trigona honey on S. pneumonia investigated using agar well diffusion, MIC, MBC, biofilm formation and RT-qPCR.
Results: Trigona honey samples showed the larger zones of inhibition against S. pneumonia, 22.2±0.4 at 100% concentration. Trigona honey possessed the lowest MIC, MBC, MIC50 and MIC90 against S. pneumoniae, 25%, 30%, 12.5% and 25% (w/v) respectively. Trigona honey permeated established biofilms of S. pneumonia, resulting in significant decreased the cells from the biofilm. RT-qPCR revealed that the expression of genes amiF, ftsY, mvaS, pnpA, argG, mvd1, purN, miaA and pbp2a were upregulated, glcK, marR, prmA and ccpA were downregulated after exposure to honey.
Conclusion: Trigona honey demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity against S. pneumoniae. By limiting study in vitro on Trigona honey, we infer that Trigona honey impacts on S. pneumoniae
Available COVID-19 vaccine platforms: A roadmap to eclipsing the SARS-CoV-2 viral saga
Get PDFThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have devastated the globe and continues to be a protracted saga. In the absence of specific efficacious medical remedies, efforts to encounter and contain this emerging virus concentrated on vaccine production. A plethora of novel vaccines has been under development by major companies in different countries. To date, around 60 vaccines are in clinical trials with many other ones continuously added to the evolving pipeline. The variety in their corresponding designed platform and phases, warrants to tackle and understand what is being presented in the literature and launched in the market.
Thus, this study is intended to enlighten and educate the medical community by reviewing the different vaccine platforms, and briefly explaining their mechanism of action with an emphasis on those that reached most advanced stages
Antibacterial activity of selected varieties of Malaysian honey against Escherichia coli: A comparative study
Get PDFBackground: The purpose of this study was to investigate antibacterial activity of three varieties of Malaysian honey; Tualang honey (TH), Gelam honey (GH), and Acacia honey (AH) against Escherichia coli.
Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the honey samples against E. coli were determined by the broth microdilution assay in the presence and absence of catalase enzyme. The mode of inhibition of honey samples against E. coli was investigated by the effect of time on viability. Impacts of the honeys on the expression profiles of the selected genes of E. coli were examined using RT-qPCR analysis.
Results: The results showed that TH and GH honey possessed lowest MIC and MBC values against E. coli with 20% and 25% (w/v) respectively. Highest MIC and MBC values were observed by AH honey against E. coli with 25% (w/v) and 50% (w/v) values respectively. Among the tested honeys, TH and GH exhibited the highest total antibacterial activity and the highest levels of peroxide-dependent activity. Time–kill curve demonstrated a bactericidal rather than a bacteriostatic effect; with a 2-log reduction estimated within 540 min. Viable cells were not recovered after 9 hours exposure to MIC of all honey-treated. The RT-qPCR analysis showed that all honey-treated cells share a similar overall pattern of gene expression, with a trend toward reduced expression of the virulence genes of interest.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Malaysian honey have the potential to be effective inhibitor and virulence modulator of E. coli via multiple molecular targets
Emerging ceftazidime-avibactam resistance against carbapenem resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Lebanon
Get PDFIntroduction: Ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) has been introduced as a novel drug to essentially combat the rising trends of carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae. In the absence of in vitro data about the activity of this drug against carbapenem resistant (CR) Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Lebanon, this study was warranted.
Methodology: A total of 150 isolates, identified using the MALDI-TOF, encompassing 50 CR E. coli, 60 CR K. pneumoniae, and 10 isolates each of extended-spectrum Beta-lactamases (ESBLs), and non-CR multidrug-resistant (MDR) of each species were analyzed. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for CZA was determined by the E-test (Liofilchem, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy). In addition, the disk diffusion (DD) test was used to determine the activity of CZA and of the antimicrobials routinely used to test for such pathogens.
Results: The CZA activity against the 50 CR E. coli showed an MIC50 ≥ 256 μg/mL, an MIC90 ≥ 256 μg/mL, and an MIC range of 0.023 to ≥ 256 μg/mL, reflecting a susceptibility of 40 %. As For the 60 CR K. pneumoniae isolates, the MIC50 was ≥ 256 μg/mL, MIC90 ≥ 256 μg/mL, and the MIC range was 0.094 to ≥ 256 μg/mL, reflecting a susceptibility of 35%. However, uniform CZA susceptibility (100%) was detected against ESBL and MDR isolates of both species, being comparable or higher to the routinely used antimicrobials.
Conclusion: Although CZA was recently introduced into this country, it was surprising to note this humble susceptibility of CZA against CR E. coli and CR K. pneumoniae. To explain such findings, it is worth pursuing investigations related to antimicrobial utilization in clinical practice and antimicrobial stewardship. Moreover, genotypic determination is needed to be revealed to help explain the observed phenotypic resistance
 
Enigma of Respiratory Carriage of Kingella kingae and Neisseria meningitides in Young Jordanian Children
Get PDFBackground:
Kingella kingae and Neisseria meningitides are gram-negative bacteria, causing several life-threatening diseases and considered as opportunistic pathogens in the upper respiratory tract of healthy carriers. The detection of these both bacteria species is difficult in routine culture methods.
Objective:
This study aimed to find the occurrence rate of K. kingae and N. meningitides colonizing upper respiratory tract of young Jordanian children, and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates.
Methods:
A total of 300 samples of throat and nasal swabs were collected from out- patients Jordanian children aged between 6 months and 5 years, who were admitted to Pediatrics' clinics department at the Jordan University Hospital and Al-Bashir Hospital over the period October 2018 through January 2019. Samples were cultured for detection K. kingae and Neisseria species including specially N. meningitides. Their suspected growth was identified and tested using microbiology culture methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Additionally, DNA was extracted directly from one 100 samples and was investigated only for K. kingae using real- time PCR assay.
Results:
This study showed the absence of K. kingae in all cultured samples, while Neisseriaspecies was detected in 21 (7 %)including one N. meningitides isolate(0.3%). The results of antibiotic susceptibility testing indicated presence of few percentage of Neisseria species isolates resistant 100 % to clindamycin, oxacillin and vancomycin, whereas all were susceptible for chloramphenicol (100%)levofloxacin and gentamycin , and less to ampicillin(90.6%) and erytromycin ( 85.7%), respectively.
Conclusion: This study shows the absence of K. kingae and the rare occurrence of N. meningitides colonizing the upper respiratory tract of young Jordanian children over the 4-month period of study.  
Comparative study of antimicrobial prescribing pattern between Nepal and Pakistan
Get PDFObjective
The purpose of this cross-sectional study conducted in different private and public sector hospitals of the major cities of Nepal and Pakistan was to compare and evaluate the antibiotic prescribing patterns.
Methodology
The data was collected based on prescriptions received from different hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan and Kathmandu, Nepal without much interaction with the patients.
Results
Out of a total of 272 patients, 111 (40.8%) patients from Nepal and 161 (59.19%) patients from Pakistan were prescribed with 447 antibiotics. In both countries, out of total antibiotics prescribed, 42.30% were 3rd generation cephalosporins. Also, in Pakistan and Nepal, out of all the indications, 49.2% of the antibiotics were given in medical prophylaxis.
Conclusion
In Pakistan, the antimicrobial prescription rate is comparatively higher than Nepal, and in both countries, there is a need of proper implementation of antibiotic prescribing guidelines for the prescription of antibiotics and the administration of antibiotics in medical prophylaxis