Screening of colistin-resistant bacteria in livestock animals from France.

Colistin is frequently used as a growth factor or treatment against infectious bacterial diseases in animals. The Veterinary Division of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) restricted colistin use as a second-line treatment to reduce colistin resistance. In 2020, 282 faecal samples were collected from chickens, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs in the south of France. In order to track the emergence of mobilized colistin resistant (mcr) genes in pigs, 111 samples were re-collected in 2021 and included pig faeces, food, and water from the same location. All samples were cultured in a selective Lucie Bardet Jean-Marc Rolain (LBJMR) medium and colonies were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and then antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed. PCR and Sanger sequencing were performed to screen for the presence of mcr genes. The selective culture revealed the presence of 397 bacteria corresponding to 35 different bacterial species including Gram-negative and Gram-positive. Pigs had the highest prevalence of colistin-resistant bacteria with an abundance of intrinsically colistin-resistant bacteria and from these samples one strain harbouring both mcr-1 and mcr-3 has been isolated. The second collection allowed us to identify 304 bacteria and revealed the spread of mcr-1 and mcr-3 in pigs. In the other samples, naturally, colistin-resistant bacteria were more frequent, nevertheless the mcr-1 variant was the most abundant gene found in chicken, sheep, and goat samples and one cattle sample was positive for the mcr-3 gene. Animals are potential reservoir of colistin-resistant bacteria which varies from one animal to another. Interventions and alternative options are required to reduce the emergence of colistin resistance and to avoid zoonotic transmissions.

[Assessment of virological quality of transfused blood in the town of Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo]. / Contrôle de qualité virologique du sang transfusé dans la ville de Bukavu, Sud Kivu, République Démocratique du Congo.

INTRODUCTION: In Bukavu, transfused blood is selected using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). These tests are easily performed without specialized equipments. This study aims to evaluate the virological quality of transfused blood assessed using rapid diagnostic tests. METHODS: A blood sample was drawn from a blood bag and collected in a 4ml dry tube in 5 Health Care Facilities over a month. Counter analysis was performed on each sample using rapid tests and ELISA. Intrinsic and extrinsic values were calculated. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to evaluate the reliability of RDT compared with ELISA. RESULTS: Three hundred and twelve samples were collected; 5 samples were positive for one or the other virologic marker while 307 samples were negative in all the tests. However Elisa showed, out of the 307 samples which were RDT test negative, 15 other positive samples including 3 samples positive for HIV, 3 for HCV and 9 for HBV. In addition, ELISA validated some RDT-positive samples and contradicted other results. Sensitivity and positive predictive value from rapid diagnostic tests were very low. The reliability of these tests was satisfactory, medium or low. CONCLUSION: Blood assessed using RDTs poses a non negligible risk of viral infections. This study highlights the need for more reliable and efficient tests in our Health Care Facilities.

[Antibiotic resistance of Salmonella spp strains isolated from blood cultures in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo]. / Antibio-résistance des souches de Salmonella spp isolées d'hémocultures à Bukavu en RD Congo.

INTRODUCTION: Typhoid fever is a major public health problem in developing countries because of the obsolescence of health infrastructure and of an almost non-existent water distribution network. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in general, and in Bukavu, in particular, blood culture is inaccessible to the majority of patients. This study aimed to assess the sensitivity of Salmonella spp to antibiotics commonly used for the tratment of typhoid fever in Bukavu. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study over a period of 6 months. Any subject suspected of having typhoid fever was included in the study. Blood culture was systematically performed in any selected patient. The identification of bacterial strain and antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using conventional methods. The following antibiotics were tested: amikacin, Aamoxicillin, augmentin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, doxycycline, gentamicin, negram, norfloxacin. RESULTS: Our study included 460 sick subjects; blood cultures were positive in 144 (31.30%) patients. Salmonella spp was the most isolated germ (41.66%). In Bukavu, isolated Salmonella spp strains were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (91.7%), ceftazidime (81.7%), ceftriaxone (80%), norfloxacin (80%), amikacin (76.6%) and cefuroxime (73.3%). They remained resistant to other antibiotic molecules. CONCLUSION: These results show a decreased sensitivity to most of the antibiotics. Antibiotic susceptibility test is necessary in patients with typhoid fever for improved patient management.