Prevalence and Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Carriage Strains Isolated from Haemodialysis Patients

@#Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is part of the normal human flora that can commonly be found on the skin and mucous membranes of the nasal area. However, in immunosuppressed patients such as those with kidney failures, colonization can potentially lead to infection. There is a concern of increasing antibiotic resistance in S. aureus. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of S. aureus nasal colonization and its antimicrobial susceptibility among haemodialysis-dependent populations. Methods: A cross-sectional study at the Nephrology Unit, Hospital Canselori Tuanku Mukhriz (HCTM) was conducted among haemodialysis-dependent patients between February 2017 to February 2018. Nasal swabs were obtained and cultured on mannitol salt agar. S. aureus isolates were identified by gram staining, tube coagulase and Deoxyribonuclease (DNase). Cefoxitin disc (30 µg) were used to identified the presence of MRSA (methicillin-resistance S. aureus). The S. aureus colonies were further tested against six antibiotics using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion. Result: A total of 134 patients were recruited. S. aureus isolates were detected from 27 patients (20.1%). All S. aureus were phenotypically identified as methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) based on the cefoxitin disc. Teicoplanin and linezolid were the most effective with 100% susceptibility. S. aureus exhibited a high resistance rate towards erythromycin (29.6%). No MRSA was isolated in this study. Conclusion: This study highlighted the high prevalence of S. aureus nasal colonization in haemodialysis patients. Teicoplanin and linezolid were found to be the most effective antibiotics against isolated S. aureus.

Healthy Hands: Development and Evaluation of a Knowledge Transfer Program

Abstract@#Introduction: Children in pre-schools are at high risk of getting infections due to overcrowding, minimal awareness of basic hygiene and lack of immunity against microorganisms. Hand hygiene practice should be started at home where parents set good example, followed by formal education in pre- schools, primary and secondary school. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive program on hand hygiene practice in pre-schools. This paper presents the developmental aspects of the program material and the results of its evaluation process in a selected pre-school. Methods: Stage of development involved preparation of song, lyric, video clip, infographic and tablet application. The module was introduced during an intervention day called ‘Healthy Hands’ day. The acceptance of the module was evaluated before and after the intervention day. Evaluation was done by assessing pre-school children by faceto-face interview about knowledge on hand hygiene techniques and routine, such as before or after certain activities. Results: We managed to compose a song in three languages (Malay, English & Arabic), produced a video clip, an infographic and tablet application. A total of 227 children participated. Post intervention evaluation showed significant (p<0.001) increase of knowledge for eight out of eleven handwashing steps. The knowledge on hand hygiene routine i.e. after toilet, after playing outdoor, after sneezing and after playing with pet was also increased significantly. Conclusion: This comprehensive knowledge transfer program significantly improved the children’s hand hygiene techniques and routine and is recommended to be integrated into pre-school curriculum.

Integration of Naqli and Aqli in Microbiology Teaching: Sharing the Experience

Background: In line with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia’s (USIM) tagline ‘Exploring Islamic Science, Spearheading Knowledge’, we embarked on a new paradigm of teaching by integrating naqli components into the microbiology and immunology curriculum. The main objective of this integration was to enhance students’ appreciation towards Islam and Science, so that they would become good Muslim doctors. The naqli components were delivered through various teaching and learning techniques such as lectures, seminars, and online assignments. Methods: A total of eighty year 3 students from Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, USIM were involved in this study. They were exposed to the new method of teaching for the whole academic year, session 2014/ 2015. The effectiveness of this program was evaluated through questionnaires, given at the end of academic session. Outcome: More than 90% students agreed that the integration were clearly delivered, relevant to the topics at hand and enhanced their knowledge. Most students (>90%) preferred interactive lectures rather than students’ initiated method such as seminar and speaker’s corner. About two third of the students did not prefer online method. Moreover, 15.9% of them said the allotted time was insufficient and 46% agreed that there was inadequate resources in the library. Conclusions: The integration of naqli components into microbiology subject was favoured by students. However, it should be improved with allocation of more slots, upgrading of online system and increment of relevant library resources. Looking forward, we are convinced this is the way to go in producing holistic doctors equipped with necessary knowledge, both in aqli and naqli to further advance Medicine and Islam.

Staphylococcus aureus carriage in selected kindergartens in Klang Valley

Introduction: Nasal colonisation of S. aureus in healthy children was 18% to 30%. One to three percent of them were colonised by Methicillin-resistant Staphlycoccus aureus (MRSA). Although MRSA infection has become increasingly reported, population-based S. aureus and MRSA colonisation estimates are lacking. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of S. aureus carriage among children. Methods: Nasal samples for S. aureus culture were obtained from 250 children from three kindergartens in the Klang Valley, after consent was obtained from the children and their parents. Swabs were transported in Stuart medium, and inoculated on mannitol-salt agar within four hours of collection. Identification and disk diffusion test were done according to guidelines. Polymerase chain reaction was done on MRSA isolates for the presence of mecA and lukS/FPV genes. Results: Overall prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA carriage were 19.2% (48/250) and 1.6% (4/250) respectively. mecA gene was present in all isolates, 50% isolates carried Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) gene. Sccmec type I was found in 2 isolates and the remaining isolates has Sccmec type V. Conclusion: The prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA carriage were similar to other studies. However, risk of contracting severe infection might be higher due to presence of PVL gene in half of the MRSA isolates.

In-house developed light cycler real time polymerase chain reaction for rapid detection of respiratory syncytial virus at University Kebangsaan Medical Centre, Malaysia

Respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children worldwide. Its detection by viral culture and immunofluorescent assay is time consuming and has low sensitivity. The objective of the study was to develop In House Light Cycler Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Rapid Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus. In house developed Light Cycler Real-Time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [LC-RT-PCR] assay was standardized using designed primers for the rapid identification of clinical samples of RSV. A total of 130 samples [throat swab and nasopharyngeal aspirate] obtained from University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, were efficiently tested and of which 54 [42%] were RSV positive. This study indicated that this newly developed in house rRT-PCR assay proved to be an excellent method for the rapid detection of RSV.