Prevalence of rabies in various species in Yemen and risk factors contributing to the spread of the disease

This study aimed to describe for the first time the prevalence of the passively-reported rabies virus among different domestic and wild animals submitted to the Central Veterinary Laboratory from various areas in Yemen, and to study prevalence proportion ratios [PPR] that contributed to the spread of rabies among animals, and its transmission to humans. A brain sample was obtained from each of the 180 animals and tested for rabies virus by a direct fluorescent antibody test. Out of the total number of animals involved in attacks on humans, 63.3% were positive for rabies. Of these, dogs were the main animal involved in attacks with a percentage of 92%, of which 62.7% were positive for rabies. Of animals involved in attacks, 70.6% were males of which 60.6% were positive, and 29.4% were females of which 69.8% were positive. Males comprised 68.9% of the total human individuals attacked, of whom 62.9% were attacked by rabies-positive animals. The significant risk factors that contributed to the spread of rabies in general included the presence of poultry carcasses and other waste in the vicinity of the attacks [PPR = 9.5] with a percentage of 84.8%, followed by the time of year, in particular school vacations [PPR = 3.8] with a percentage of 78%. Rabies is endemic in Yemen with a very high rabies-positive rate for animals involved in attacks, particularly for stray male dogs. Male children were most often involved in attacks by rabies-positive animals. The presence of food waste [particularly poultry carcasses] and school vacation periods were found to correlate significantly with increased risk for human exposure to rabies

Sero-prevalence of reported dengue fever in Shabwah governorate, Yemen

This study was conducted to confirm suspected dengue cases reported through the surveillance program in 2010 according to their clinical profile. A cross sectional study was carried out during a 10 month period from March to December 2010. A total of 819 sera were collected from suspected cases. A modified WHO dengue case investigation form was used to collect the demographic and clinical data on suspected dengue cases attending hospitals or health centers in 16 districts. Sera were collected and sent to the National Center of Public Health Laboratories in Sana'a city and screened for anti-dengue IgM and IgG antibodies by a commercially available ELISA kit. Suspected cases with either positive IgM or IgM+IgG antibodies were confirmed. The data was statistically analyzed using SPSS 15.0. From a total of 819 suspected dengue fever cases, 438 [53.5%] cases were confirmed, of whom 247 [56.4%] were males and 191 [43.6%] were females. Three districts [Habban, Kura and Mayfa'a] f had the highest incidence rate per 10,000 populations. Most confirmed cases occurred in May and June. The age of confirmed cases ranged from 10 to 29 years old. Most confirmed cases had fever, headache and joints pain. Over half of the suspected cases were laboratory confirmed with a majority of cases from 3 districts. The increase in confirmed reported cases were coincides with the rainy season. Outdoor biting was likely, as the most affected cases were in the age group 10 to 29 years.

Increasing single and multi-antibiotic resistance in Shigella epecies isolated from shigellosis patients in Sana'a, Yemen

The epidemiology and antibiotic susceptibility of Shigella species changes over time. Updated susceptibility knowledge is necessary for appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment. Thus, this research aimed to study these changes in 2 time periods with an interval of 10 years. Two hundreds and three Shigella strains, isolated from stool samples of diarrheic patients at the Central Health Laboratory in Sana'a, Yemen in 2 time periods [1993 and 2003] with a 10-year interval, were examined for serotyping and drug resistance pattern. Resistance patterns of the strains to 12 commonly used antimicrobial agents and minimum inhibitory concentrations of the antibiotics were tested. Shigella flexneri [60%] was found to be the most common isolate of the total Shigella species, followed by Shigella dysenteriae [28.6%] and Shigella boydii [11.3%]. In Shigella flexneri strains, Shigella flexneri 3 [30.5%] was the most prevalent serotype, followed by Shigella flexneri 6 [17.2%], and Shigella flexneri 1 [12.3%]. All strains were found equally susceptible to cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin, but more than 80% of the strains of 2003 were resistant to tetracycline, co-trimoxazole, and 52% of the same strains were resistant to ampicillin. Resistance to chloramphenicol was found in 61%, cefuroxime in 56.2%, and cephradine, 52% of the strains. Overall, Shigella species showed statistically significant increase in resistance against tetracycline, cephradine, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nalidixic acid, and aztreonam [p<0.05] over the 10 years period. This indicates decreased efficacy of co-trimoxazole and nalidixic acid for the empirical treatment of shigellosis in Sana'a, Yemen. Almost 55.2% of the strains were resistant to 4 drugs. This is one of the first studies reporting epidemiological pattern of Shigella species in Sana'a, Yemen with regard to serotypes and antibiotic resistance patterns. Based on these antibiotic resistance pattern findings, it is suggested that the commonly in use antibiotics including ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol should not be used for empirical treatment of shigellosis in Yemen

Isolation of staphylococcus aureus from a popular cheese in Yemen

The chemical compossion of milk supports the growth of many microorganisms. Some of them may cause milk and its products to spoil, whereas others cause diseases in human and animals. This study aimed at investigating the microbial profile of a home made popular Taizi cheese using a standard microbiological procedure. The results showed 158 isolates, where 49.37% were found to be yeasts and 50.63% were bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated at the rate of 8.86% with a statistical significance. It seems that hygienic measures are necessary to be employed in this popular cheese production

Microbial profile of acute otitis media among children in sana'a/ Yemen

To determine the predominant pathogens causing acute otitis media [AOM] among children in Sana'a-Yemen and to test the susceptibility of these pathogens to different anti-microbial agents. One hundred and thirty ear swabs were collected from children suffering of AOM cultured onto different cultural media, then the isolates were identfied depending on the direct smear, cultural characters and biochemical reactions according to standard microbiological methods. The antibiogram for the isolates was performed by a disc diffusion method using eight commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of AOM in Yemen. The bacteriological study of the isolated microorganisms revealed that gram positive bacteria were the commonest microorganisms [55.32%], where, S aureus was the most frequent one [34.04%]. Gram negative bacteria showed afrequency of 43. 97%, where, Pseudomonas spp was the most common isolates [13.47%]. Mixed infections were found in 21% of positive cultures, in which S aureus + H infleunzae were more predominant [6.03%]. The antibiotic sensitivity patterns showed that S aureus and S epidermidis were highly sensitive to both vancomycin [70.8% versus 100%] and ampicihin [56.3% versus 100%]. In contrast, Pseudomonas spp was resistant to most antibiotics, except gentamicin [52.6%]. The present study represents the apparent magnitude of the bacterial causes of acute otitis media among children in Sana'a - Yemen and gives an Idea about the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of isolated microorganisms, in order to improve the treatment of disease