scholarly journals The spread of chloramphenicol-resistant Neisseria meningitidis in Southeast Asia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Batty ◽  
Tomas-Paul Cusack ◽  
Janjira Thaipadungpanit ◽  
Wanitda Watthanaworawit ◽  
Verena Carrara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Chloramphenicol Resistance ◽  
Ciprofloxacin Resistance ◽  
Diagnostic Microbiology ◽  
Susceptibility Patterns ◽  
Significant Health

AbstractInvasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis is a significant health concern globally, but our knowledge of the prevailing serogroups, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and genetics of N. meningitidis in Southeast Asia is limited. Chloramphenicol resistance in N. meningitidis has rarely been reported, but was first described in isolates from Vietnam in 1998. Using whole-genome sequencing of meningococcal isolates from 18 patients collected between 2007 and 2018 from diagnostic microbiology laboratories in Cambodia, Thailand and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos), of which eight were non-susceptible to chloramphenicol, we report the spread of this chloramphenicol-resistant lineage of N. meningitidis across Southeast Asia. Strains resistant to penicillin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin were also observed, including a chloramphenicol-resistant strain from the previously-described lineage which has acquired penicillin and ciprofloxacin resistance, and most isolates were of serogroup B. This study suggests that chloramphenicol-resistant N. meningitidis is more widespread than previously thought.

scholarly journals The effect of recombination on the evolution of a population of Neisseria meningitidis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil MacAlasdair ◽  
Maiju Pesonen ◽  
Ola Brynildsrud ◽  
Vegard Eldholm ◽  
Paul A. Kristiansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Recombination Hotspots ◽  
Sub Saharan

Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus) is a major human pathogen with a history of high invasive disease burden, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Our current understanding of the evolution of meningococcal genomes is limited by the rarity of large-scale genomic population studies and lack of in-depth investigation of the genomic events associated with routine pathogen transmission. Here we fill this knowledge gap by a detailed analysis of 2,839 meningococcal genomes obtained through a carriage study of over 50,000 samples collected systematically in Burkina Faso, West Africa, before, during, and after the serogroup A vaccine rollout, 2009-2012. Our findings indicate that the meningococcal genome is highly dynamic, with recombination hotspots and frequent gene sharing across deeply separated lineages in a structured population. Furthermore, our findings illustrate the profound effect of population structure on genome flexibility, with some lineages in Burkina Faso being orders of magnitude more recombinant than others. We also examine the effect of selection on the population, in particular how it is correlated with recombination. We find that recombination principally acts to prevent the accumulation of deleterious mutations, although we do also find an example of recombination acting to speed the adaptation of a gene. In general, we show the importance of recombination in the evolution of a geographically expansive population with deep population structure in a short timescale. This has important consequences for our ability to both foresee the outcomes of vaccination programmes and, using surveillance data, predict when lineages of the meningococcus are likely to become a public health concern.

Functional diversity of three different DsbA proteins from Neisseria meningitidis

Microbiology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 150 (9) ◽  
pp. 2993-3000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunita Sinha ◽  
Paul R. Langford ◽  
J. Simon Kroll
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Protein Folding ◽  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Neisseria Lactamica ◽  
Neisseria Subflava ◽  
Neisseria Flavescens

The genome of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B strain MC58 contains three genes – nmb0278, nmb0294 and nmb0407 – encoding putative homologues of DsbA, a periplasmic thiol disulphide oxidoreductase protein-folding catalyst of the Dsb protein family. DsbA assists the folding of periplasmic and membrane proteins in diverse organisms. While all three cloned genes complemented the DTT sensitivity of dsbA-null Escherichia coli, they showed different activities in folding specific target proteins in this background. NMB0278 protein was the most active in complementing defects in motility and alkaline phosphatase activity, while NMB0294 was the most active in folding periplasmic MalF. NMB0407 showed the weakest activity in all assays. It is extremely unusual for organisms to contain more than one chromosomal dsbA. Among the members of the genus Neisseria, only the meningococcus carries all three of these genes. Strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria lactamica, Neisseria cinerea and Neisseria polysaccharea contained only homologues of nmb0278 and nmb0407, while Neisseria flava, Neisseria subflava and Neisseria flavescens carried only nmb0294. It is speculated that the versatility of the meningococcus in surviving in different colonizing and invasive disease settings may be derived in part from an enhanced potential to deploy outer-membrane proteins, a consequence of carrying an extended repertoire of protein-folding catalysts.

scholarly journals Microbial Assessment of Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) Sold at Some Central Markets in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Forson Akua Obeng ◽  
Pokuaa Belinda Gyasi ◽  
Michael Olu-Taiwo ◽  
F. Patrick Ayeh-kumi
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
High Water ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
High Water Content ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Disc Diffusion Method ◽  
Ciprofloxacin Resistance ◽  
Significant Health

Background. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) has a high water content which predisposes it to spoilage by pathogenic bacteria that can pose significant health threats to consumers. Aim. The study aimed to determine the various pathogenic bacteria associated with tomatoes sold in some central markets in the Accra Metropolis. Method. A total of 120 tomatoes were sampled, out of which 60 fresh, firm, undamaged tomatoes and 60 spoilt tomatoes were analysed. Cut portions of the fresh and spoilt tomatoes were swabbed with sterile swabs and cultured on Blood agar, Nutrient agar, and MacConkey agar. The antibiogram of bacterial isolates was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method. Results. Out of the 120 tomatoes analysed, a total of 66 bacterial isolates were recovered, 68.2% were associated with spoilt tomatoes, and 31.8% were from fresh tomatoes. Klebsiella sp. (34.8%), Enterobacter sp. (24.2%), and Citrobacter sp. (7.6%) were the predominant bacteria isolated. Agbogbloshie market (36.4%) had both fresh (18.2%) and spoilt (18.2%) tomatoes contaminated, whilst Makola market (31.8%) had a higher spoilt (30.3%) tomatoes contaminated. Although none of the isolates expressed resistance to ciprofloxacin, resistance was found for ampicillin (63.1%), tetracycline (60.1%), and cefuroxime (59.1%). Conclusion. Varying levels of antibiotic resistance bacteria amongst tomatoes sold at various markets were found. Contamination might have been caused by poor sanitation, improper handling or transportation from the farms to the markets. The presence of antibiotic resistance bacteria amongst tomatoes raises concern on public health risks associated with the consumption of fresh tomatoes.

scholarly journals Transmission Dynamics and Microevolution of Neisseria meningitidis During Carriage and Invasive Disease in High School Students in Georgia and Maryland, 2006–2007

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustapha M Mustapha ◽  
Jane W Marsh ◽  
Kathleen A Shutt ◽  
Jessica Schlackman ◽  
Chinelo Ezeonwuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Allelic Variation ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
School Students ◽  
Single Strain ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
Culture Positive

Abstract Background The mechanisms by which Neisseria meningitidis cause persistent human carriage and transition from carriage to invasive disease have not been fully elucidated. Methods Georgia and Maryland high school students were sampled for pharyngeal carriage of N. meningitidis during the 2006–2007 school year. A total of 321 isolates from 188 carriers and all 67 invasive disease isolates collected during the same time and from the same geographic region underwent whole-genome sequencing. Core-genome multilocus sequence typing was used to compare allelic profiles, and direct read mapping was used to study strain evolution. Results Among 188 N. meningitidis culture–positive students, 98 (52.1%) were N. meningitidis culture positive at 2 or 3 samplings. Most students who were positive at >1 sampling (98%) had persistence of a single strain. More than a third of students carried isolates that were highly genetically related to isolates from other students in the same school, and occasional transmission within the same county was also evident. The major pilin subunit gene, pilE, was the most variable gene, and no carrier had identical pilE sequences at different time points. Conclusion We found strong evidence of local meningococcal transmission at both the school and county levels. Allelic variation within genes encoding bacterial surface structures, particularly pilE, was common.

scholarly journals Neisseria meningitidis Intermediately Resistant to Penicillin and Causing Invasive Disease in South Africa in 2001 to 2005

2008 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 3208-3214 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. du Plessis ◽  
A. von Gottberg ◽  
C. Cohen ◽  
L. de Gouveia ◽  
K. P. Klugman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Invasive Disease

scholarly journals Identification of main malaria vectors and their insecticide resistance profile in internally displaced and indigenous communities in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanine A. C. M. Loonen ◽  
Dominic B. Dery ◽  
Bertin Z. Musaka ◽  
Janvier B. Bandibabone ◽  
Teun Bousema ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Insecticide Resistance ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Anopheles Funestus ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Species Determination ◽  
Insecticide Susceptibility ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Abstract Background Malaria remains a major public health concern in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its control is affected by recurrent conflicts. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) initiated several studies to better understand the unprecedented incidence of malaria to effectively target and implement interventions in emergency settings. The current study evaluated the main vector species involved in malaria transmission and their resistance to insecticides, with the aim to propose the most effective tools and strategies for control of local malaria vectors. Methods This study was performed in 52 households in Shamwana (Katanga, 2014), 168 households in Baraka (South Kivu, 2015) and 269 households in Kashuga (North Kivu, 2017). Anopheles vectors were collected and subjected to standardized Word Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) insecticide susceptibility bioassays. Mosquito species determination was done using PCR and Plasmodium falciparum infection in mosquitoes was assessed by ELISA targeting circumsporozoite protein. Results Of 3517 Anopheles spp. mosquitoes collected, Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) (29.6%) and Anopheles funestus (69.1%) were the main malaria vectors. Plasmodium falciparum infection rates for An. gambiae s.l. were 1.0, 2.1 and 13.9% for Shamwana, Baraka and Kashuga, respectively. Anopheles funestus showed positivity rates of 1.6% in Shamwana and 4.4% in Baraka. No An. funestus were collected in Kashuga. Insecticide susceptibility tests showed resistance development towards pyrethroids in all locations. Exposure to bendiocarb, malathion and pirimiphos-methyl still resulted in high mosquito mortality. Conclusions This is one of only few studies from these conflict areas in DRC to report insecticide resistance in local malaria vectors. The data suggest that current malaria prevention methods in these populations are only partially effective, and require additional tools and strategies. Importantly, the results triggered MSF to consider the selection of a new insecticide for indoor residual spraying (IRS) and a new long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN). The reinforcement of correct usage of LLINs and the introduction of targeted larviciding were also included as additional vector control tools as a result of the studies.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and the rise of social activism in Southeast Asia: a public health concern

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Clyde G Corpuz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Social Activism ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract The current public health crisis has radically altered the social and civic involvement in Southeast Asia. Although the virus has shifted the landscape of engagement, it has not dampened the enthusiasm of the public. In 2020–2021, more people than ever seem to be paying attention and even getting involved in activism. Many dramatic events happened during the coronavirus crisis such as from protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, public activism around the environment, economic inequality, authoritarianism and human rights violations. In Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and just recently Myanmar. The journal has lately published about the ‘Relationship of George Floyd protests to increases in COVID-19 cases using event study methodology’ and it has rightly expressed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended social distancing guidelines must be followed in a protest situation. In response to the situation of social activism in Southeast Asia, one must follow the CDC-recommended and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines in the Region. Although protesting is an individual human right, one must also be cautious and be aware of the deadly virus since we are still in a pandemic and the COVID-19 virus continues to mutate.

Effect of a Program to Reduce Hospital Ciprofloxacin Use on Nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa Susceptibility to Quinolones and Other Antimicrobial Agents

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 716-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul P. Cook ◽  
Titu D. Das ◽  
Michael Gooch ◽  
Paul G. Catrou
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Antimicrobial Management ◽  
Management Effort ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ciprofloxacin Resistance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Susceptibility Patterns

Objective.We evaluated the effect of an antimicrobial management effort to decrease ciprofloxacin use on the antibiotic susceptibility of nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.Design.Retrospective, observational study.Setting.Tertiary care teaching hospital with 731 beds.Methods.The study was conducted between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2007. Linear regression analyses and Student t tests were used to determine significant changes in drug use among patients and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among nosocomial P. aeruginosa isolates during the 84-month period.Results.Following implementation of a program to reduce oral and intravenous use of ciprofloxacin in 2005, there was a 56.6% reduction in ciprofloxacin use (P < .001). Significant reductions in the mean percentage of nosocomial P. aeruginosa isolates that were resistant to ciprofloxacin (from 45.0% to 35.2%; P < .002) and the mean incidence of ciprofloxacin resistance (from 0.77 to 0.67 isolates recovered per 1,000 patient-days; P = .03) were noted after implementation of this program. The total quantity of antipseudomonal antibiotics consumed decreased, but the use of certain antipseudomonal antibiotics (ie, cefepime and imipenem/meropenem) increased. Among nosocomial P. aeruginosa isolates, the prevalence of imipenem/meropenem resistance increased, whereas the prevalence of cefepime resistance did not. During the 84 months of the study, there was a significant association between ciprofloxacin use and the percentage of nosocomial P. aeruginosa isolates that were resistant to ciprofloxacin (p = 0.47; P = .011), but there was no correlation between ciprofloxacin use and the incidence of ciprofloxacin resistance (p = 0.21; P = .26).Conclusions.Major reductions in ciprofloxacin use were associated with small but significant improvements in the rate of ciprofloxacin susceptibility among nosocomial P. aeruginosa isolates. The impact of the program on other antipseudomonal agents was variable.

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