Screening of nosocomial methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] in the intensive care units of Assiut university hospital

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of nosocomial infections that uses numerous virulence factors, such as extracellular toxins and enzymes. Epidemic Methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA] strains were described as multi-resistant strains with special capacity to colonize patients and staff and cause widespread outbreaks of infections. Rapid identification of MRSA from clinical specimens and screening of high risk patients for MRSA colonization have been found to be cost effective measures for limiting the spread of the organism in hospitals. The aim of this study was screening of MRSA infection in patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Department in Assiut University Hospital, using oxacillin resistance agar screen base [ORSAB] and MRSA screen test and to compare the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of MRSA infected patients with those of house-hold contacts and paramedical staff to evaluate their role in transmission of MRSA. The present study included 455 patients with nosocomial infections admitted to the ICU of Neurology and Chest Departments and the Diabetic Foot Care Unit. 154 nurses and workers in these units as well as 110 healthy volunteers who were household contacts of the patients with S. aureus infections were also included. Swabs were collected from the anterior nares of all studied groups and from the bed sores of patients who developed nosocomial beds sores. Sputum samples and endotracheal aspirates were also collected from patients who developed nosocomial pneumonia. Pus samples were collected from post-operative infected wounds of diabetic foot patients. All samples were cultured on mannitol salts agar. Colonies were identified by growth characteristics, Gram staining, biochemical reactions and confirmed by coagulase tube test. Coagulase positive mannitol-fermenting colonies were subcultured on ORSAB medium then subjected to MRSA screen test to detect PBP2a. Sensitivity patterns of the isolated strains were detected by Kirby and Bauer technique. It was found that 24% of the patients [110/455] were infected nosocomially with S. aureus. 60 patients were infected with MRSA [55% of S. aureus infected patients and 13% of the whole patients]. MRSA nasal colonization was reported in 17.5% of the patients [80/455], 5.2% of paramedical staff [8/154] and 18% of the household contacts [20/110]. The results of antibiogram showed that MRSA strains remained sensitive to ciprofloxacin, rifampin, gentamycin and vancomycin with the highest sensitivity obtained by ciprofloxacin. MRSA strains of patients and paramedical staff had the same antibiogram type while slightly different from those of their household contacts denoting that the paramedical staff had a major role in transmission of MRSA. Regular screening of patients gives an early warning of the presence of MRSA and assess the efficiency of barrier and application of basic infection control measures [standard precautions]. Prevention is better than treatment, but for those who are already affected, control is the most likely achievable goal rather than eradication to prevent cross transmission. We recommend the use of molecular methods for accurate and rapid typing of MRSA

Studies on Trypanosoma evansi in local Arabian camels [Camelus dromedarius] in Saudi Arabia: prevalence, haematological manifestations and effect on behavior

Natural infection with T. evansi was studied in a herd of 75 Arabian camels [camelus dromedarius] in the western Region of Saudi Arabia. The prevalence rate was 13.3% as revealed by thin blood smear examination and 26.6% as shown by animal inoculation. The infection was characterized by marked anaemia. Clinical manifestations indicative of chronic infection were observed in some of the infected camels e.g. emaciation, marked reduction of size of the hump, atrophy of the thigh muscles, corneal opacities, diarrhea, abortion, and / or inability to feed the youngs. Infected camels showed some changes in behaviour such as non social behaviour and loss of appetite

Scanning electron microscopy of the tegumental surface of in vivo treated schistosoma mansoni [Saudi Arabian geographical strain] with oxamniquine and praziquantel

Praziquantel [40 mg/Kg.] and Oxaminquine [30 mg/Kg.] were administered orally to mice at seven weeks after infection With S. mansoni. The tegumental surfaces of non-treated as well as treated adult worms were examined by scanning electron microscope seven days after treatment. The surfaces of the worms were shown to be different from other studied strains. Such differences include; the devoideness of the female tegument of several sensory appandages; the number of sensory bulbs per papillae was high and the interpapillar setae were absent on the dorsal and dorsolateral surfaces of the male. Both drugs affected the surfaces of the male more pronouncedly than the female. Praziquantel was more effective in the destruction of spined papillae, wrinkling and disturbing the interpapillar spaces. Oxamniquine destructed the suckers, but had little effect on the spined papillae. No post-treatment recovery of worm's teguments was noticed