Microbial ecology of protective isolation room: Air and Surfaces.

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare-associated infections pose a significant public health burden, leading to morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and substantial social and economic costs. Immunocompromised patients are at a heightened risk of nosocomial infections. AIM: This prospective study conducted at Mohammed VI University Hospital of Oujda aimed to assess the microbial ecology of surfaces and air in an immunosuppressed patient room compared to a double hospitalization room. METHODS: Microbiological air purity tests were conducted employing both the sedimentation method and the collision method with the assistance of Microflow Alpha. The sedimentation method used Mueller Hinton with 5% human blood, facilitating the free fall of contaminated dust particles. The collection program employed was set for 10 minutes per 1 m3. For surface sampling, swabs were taken from a 25 cm2 surface. The swabs were immediately forwarded to the Microbiology Laboratory. We carried out both macroscopic and microscopic identification of colonies, followed by definitive biochemical identification using the BD phoenixTM system. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed through agar diffusion on Muller Hinton medium coupled with the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration. RESULTS: The results revealed a decreased bacterial count within the protective isolation room, in contrast to the standard hospital room. We noted the predominance of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp and Bacillus spp. Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus spp, common pathogens in healthcare-associated infections, were notably absent in the protective isolation room. The findings underline the pivotal role of hospital environments in the transmission of healthcare-associated infections. CONCLUSION: The protective isolation room demonstrated effective control of microbial contamination, with fewer and less resistant germs. The study highlighted the significance of air treatment systems in preventing the spread of opportunistic infections. Our study underscored the critical role of microbiological cleanliness in preventing nosocomial infections.

A very rare case of bacteraemia in a 4-year-old girl with osteopetrosis with probable Leuconostoc lactis infection.

Leuconostoc lactis (LLac) is a Gram-positive coccus of the family Leuconostocaceae . It can be found in a variety of vegetables and dairy products. LLac is an opportunistic pathogen with intrinsic resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin. In this case report, we discuss a rare case of LLac-associated bacteraemia in a patient with osteopetrosis. A 4-year-old girl was admitted to the paediatric emergency department with acute fever without other signs. Blood culture revealed an infection with LLac. Using the streptococcus antibiogram, the isolate was resistant to vancomycin, teicoplanin, rifampicin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim but sensitive to ß-lactams, gentamicin, streptomycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, lincomycin, clindamycin and erythromycin. The patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone and gentamicin, and subsequently with oral amoxicillin. After a favourable course, she was discharged from the hospital on the 10th day. The modes of transmission and physiopathology of LLac remain unknown. Factors associated with this infection include compromised immunity, previous antibiotic therapy especially with vancomycin, and application of a central venous catheter. In our patient, the risk factors for infection were pancytopenia and multiple transfusions used to treat bone marrow failure. The source of the bacteraemia could have been the cutaneous route, but it could also have been digestive due to the reservoir of the bacteria. LLac is known as an opportunistic bacterium. Further studies on its pathogenesis and other risk factors are needed to understand the true prevalence of this potentially fatal bacterium in compromised individuals, such as the case of our patient.

Prediction of the bacterial shape in urinary tract infections with the Sysmex UF-1000i analyser: technical note.

Background: The aim of our study was to explore the utility of the Sysmex UF-1000i analyzer as a rapid screening tool for urinary tract infections (UTI) and its ability to predict bacterial shape in order to help physicians choose the appropriate empiric treatment. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study, including 1023 urine cytobacteriological examinations. Urines were processed according to the recommendations of the medical microbiology reference system (REMIC). Using the Sysmex Uf-1000i analyzer, the authors evaluated bacteria forward scatter (B_FSC) and fluorescent light scatter (B_FLH) in a preliminary discrimination step for UTI caused by bacilli or cocci bacteria. Results: The authors got 1023 positive samples. Comparing baccili and cocci bacteria, the authors observed a statistically significant difference for B_FSC but not for B_FLH. The values of B_FLH are very close for the four categories of microorganisms compared (bacilli, cocci, bacilli-cocci association, and yeasts). For these same categories, tests show different values for the B_FSC. A separate analysis of the B_FSC values for bacilli shows that their distribution is relatively homogeneous and exhibits a peak between 20 and 30 ch. Conclusion: Dimensional parameters of bacteria generated by UF-1000i could be a rapid and useful tool for predicting the bacterial shape causing UTI.

Urinary tract infections older adults at Mohammed VI University Hospital of Oujda: case series.

Due to its incidence, clinical polymorphism and severity, urinary tract infection is an important problem in elderly. The objectives of the authors' work were to establish the bacteriological profile of urinary tract infection and/or colonization in the elderly and then to study drug resistance of bacterial strains isolated. Materials and methods: This is a 36 months retrospective study from 22 March 2016 to 11 May 2019. The study included urinary specimens of persons aged 65 years or over, hospitalized or consulting at the authors' hospital. Urines were processed according to the recommendations of the medical microbiology reference system and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. Results: The authors collected 6552 requests for cytobacteriological examination of urine. Most of the specimens was collected in the middle stream (n=5503; 84%). Cultures were sterile in 49.77% of cases. Positive in 50.22% of cases. Among positive samples we had 53.41% polymorphic cultures, 32.75% urinary tract infection, and 13.82% urinary tract colonization. Gender distribution showed a sex ratio at 0.62. Gram-negative bacilli, with Escherichia coli as the main species, dominated the isolated bacteria. Resistance rates of E. coli strains that we isolated were 70% for amoxicillin, 36.31% for amoxicillin-clavulanate and 25% for ciprofloxacin. A high resistance rate was seen for third generation cephalosporins. Least resistance recorded to nitrofurantoin. Conclusion: ITU in the elderly is diverse and significantly different from that of younger patients, through its high contamination rate, difficulty in acquiring clinical information, high rate of asymptomatic bacteriuria, and high proportion of multidrug resistant bacteria.

Isolation of Pasteurella pneumotropica in a Hand Phlegmon Following a Human Bite.

Pasteurella is a commensal microorganism found in the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory and digestive tracts of mammals and birds and it rarely affects humans. Human pasteurellosis typically results from infection through bites or scratches from animals, with dogs and cats being the most common sources. However, various vertebrates, such as rats, rabbits, tigers, and lions, can also transmit the infection. We report a case involving a young woman who developed a hand phlegmon on her right forearm following a rare and unusual human bite during a brawl. Her condition improved after both surgical and medical treatment.

Pre-analytical non-conformities of cytobacteriological examination of urine in the microbiology laboratory of Oujda's Mohammed VI University Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: The pre-analytical step of cytobacteriological examination of urine (CBEU) is one of the most critical in microbiology. AIM: To analyze quantitatively and qualitatively the pre-analytical non-conformities related to the CBEU in order to propose reliable corrective measures. METHOD: This was a 76-month retrospective study from March 2016 to June 2022. The study included all CBEU referred to our laboratory. The conformity of the requests was evaluated according to the requirements of the medical microbiology standard (REMIC). It concerned the CBEU request, the urine sample and its packaging. RESULT: We collected 66631 CBEU requests. The urine was not conform in 1646 (2.47%) cases. The majority of non-conformities came from the emergency department (n= 653; 39.67%). The predominant non-conformities were (i) deteriorated sample (53.53%; n=878), (ii) delayed transport (28.55%; n=469) and (iii) damaged equipment (4.62%; n= 76). CONCLUSION: In our study, pre-analytical non-conformities of CBEU were frequent and affected all steps of the pre-analytical process. They had a direct clinical and economic impact on the patient. Continuous improvement of the pre-analytical phase of the CBEU is necessary in our institution.

Leclercia adecarboxylata invasive infection in a patient with Hirschsprung disease: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Leclercia adecarboxylata is a ubiquitous aerobic, motile, gram-negative bacilli. The human gastro-intestinal tract is known to harbor this rarely opportunistic microorganism. We describe a rare case of invasive infection with a gastrointestinal starting point due to L. adecarboxylata in a patient with Hirschsprung disease. CASE REPORT: It is about a newborn female who was admitted on the 3rd day of life to the neonatal intensive care unit for intestinal obstruction. On the 9th day of life, while managing the neonatal obstruction, the patient developed febrile peaks. Cytobacteriological examination of cerebrospinal fluid, blood cultures and culture of umbilical vein catheter allowed the exclusive isolation of Leclercia adecarboxylata. It was producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase and was treated with intravenous imipenem. After favourable evolution, the patient was transferred to the pediatric surgery department. There, she was diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease. DISCUSSION: Knowledge of the route of transmission of L. adecarboxylata is limited and the possible source of the infection is unclear. However, the authors describe three hypotheses of contamination of our propositus. In our patient, one or more of these routes of contamination would be possible. Indeed, bacteremia could occur as a result of a bacterial translocation across the mucosal barrier of the colon altered by Hirschsprung disease, antibiotic use and feeding practices. CONCLUSION: Infection with L. adecarboxylata revealed a wide range of infection. It has only recently been acknowledged as an emerging pathogen. Further studies of the pathogenesis and risk factors are required.