ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Twenty million cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fever (TF) are observed annually worldwide with more than 200,000deaths. These fevers occur in areas where hygiene is precarious, mainly in developing countries. The objective of this study was to describe epidemiological patterns of TF in Meknes, Morocco in order to improve preventive measures. METHODS: We conducted a case series study based on data from 2013 to 2016 in the Meknes TF surveillance system. Data collected included socio-demographic variables, place of residence, season, mode of water supply, and food consumed. Diagnosis of TF was confirmed with the Widal test. Data were analyzed with Epi-info version 7 and mapping was done with Qgis version 2.18.1. RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty-two cases were reported with a male/female sex ratio of 0.9. Average age was 26±20years. Incidence increased from 13 per 100.000inhabitants in 2013 to 8 per 100.000 inhabitants in 2016. Two hundred and seventy-nine (87%) cases occurred in urban areas and 174 (54%) cases developed in summer. One death was recorded. CONCLUSION: Public awareness campaigns on health education for hygiene are needed. Focus should be placed on transmission by food handlers.
Subject(s)
Typhoid Fever/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , History, 21st Century , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Morocco/epidemiology , Paratyphoid Fever/epidemiology , Seasons , Young AdultABSTRACT
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is responsible for 1.5 million cases of infection annually worldwide. This disease occurs in areas where hygiene is precarious and affects mainly developing countries. In Morocco, 222 cases were reported in 2015, 34 of them from the city of Meknes. The objective of this study is to describe the trends in HAV incidence in Meknes to improve preventive measures. For this cross-sectional descriptive study, we investigated each case reported to the HAV surveillance system between 2013 and 2016. The following data were collected: socio-demographic information, season of infection, mode of water supply, food consumed, food purchasing environment, and laboratory confirmation of cases (by an ELISA test to detect anti-HAV IgG). Data were analyzed by Epi info version 7.2.0.1, with mapping by QGIS version 2.18.1. In all, 192 cases were reported with a sex ratio (m/f) of 1.3 and an average age of 13 ± 10 years. Incidence fell from 10 per 100 000 inhabitants in 2013 to 1.6 per 100 000 in 2016. Most cases (n = 160, 83%) came from the urban environment, and 63 (32%) occurred in springtime. Two people died. The incidence of HAV in the Meknes area has fallen, but public awareness campaigns by health education in the field of personal hygiene remain necessary. It is also essential to improve implementation of regulations banning food handling by virus carriers. Sanitary control of informal markets must be improved.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis A/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Morocco/epidemiology , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Sex Distribution , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the bacteriological profile of burn wounds in patients hospitalized in the burn unit of the Military Hospital in Rabat and describe their sensitivity to antibiotics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted from July, 2009, through March, 2011, in the hospital bacteriology laboratory, in collaboration with the burn unit. At each admission, a questionnaire was completed to collect the patient's data. Bacteriological samples were collected from burn wounds at admission and every time the bandage was changed. Identification of bacteria was based on their culture, morphological, and biochemical characteristics. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined with the agar diffusion method, in accordance with the recommendations of the French Society of Microbiology. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS Version 13 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software. RESULTS: The study included 58 burn patients. Their mean age was 38.2 ± 15.5 years; the mortality rate was 13.8%, and the prevalence of infection 43.1%. We identified 126 non-redundant bacterial strains from the 112 samples collected, most often Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Staphylococcus spp. CONCLUSION: Heightened vigilance and rigorous application of hygiene rules, together with continuous epidemiological surveillance of burn wound bacteria, are essential to optimize empiric antibiotic therapy.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections/epidemiology , Burns/epidemiology , Burns/microbiology , Wound Infection/epidemiology , Wound Infection/microbiology , Adolescent , Adult , Bacteria/drug effects , Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Burns/drug therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Morocco/epidemiology , Prospective Studies , Time Factors , Wound Infection/drug therapy , Young AdultABSTRACT
Acinetobacter baumannii is a prolific nosocomial pathogen renowned for its multidrug-resistant nature. However, A. baumannii is a rare cause of nosocomial meningitis, and is an even rarer cause of meningitis outbreaks in neurosurgical units. We report a case of nosocomial meningitis due to multidrug resistant A. baumannii in a postoperative neurosurgery. The diagnosis was retained on a beam of arguments clinical, biochemical and bacteriological. The evolution was unfavourable, and the patient died of multiple complications.
