scholarly journals Emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in South Africa: Implications for public health

2018 ◽  
Vol 114 (9/10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank E. Tatsing Foka ◽  
Ajay Kumar ◽  
Collins N. Ateba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
South African ◽  
Resistance Management ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Indirect Contact ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant

South Africa is among the countries with the highest prevalence of debilitating diseases such as HIV/Aids and diabetes. In this context, the emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VREs) in most South African ecological niches is quite disturbing, taking into consideration the fact that therapeutic options in a case of resistant-enterococci infection would be limited. Agricultural practices coupled with the misuse of antibiotics in intensive animal rearing and in hospital facilities have led to the creation of reservoirs of VREs in the environment. VREs can cause serious health problems by transmitting their resistance genes to susceptible pathogens; they are transmitted to humans by direct or indirect contact and through the food chain. We screened thoroughly the AJOL and the PubMed databases for studies on VRE incidence in South Africa. This review gives insight into the current status of antimicrobial resistance management in South Africa; it explores the different pathways involved in the spread of VREs and proposes possible solutions to tackle the issue of VREs and antimicrobial resistance in South Africa and other parts of the world.

Transforming the Rural Agricultural Landscape Through Groundwater Optimisation: Exploring A Chinese-South African Partnership

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirmala Dorasamy ◽  
Olayemi Bakre
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Subsistence Farming ◽  
Water Shortages ◽  
Subsistence Farmers ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Standards Of Living ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

The majority of the South African rural populace is directly or indirectly engaged in agricultural practices to earn a livelihood. However, impediments such as climate change, water shortages, and inadequacy of institutional support have undermined these once thriving subsistence farming communities. Furthermore, poor leadership in hydrology, coupled with a lack of depth in skills at all government levels to facilitate the understanding of the importance of groundwater, has made it near impossible for subsistence farmers to benefit optimally from groundwater. The 2012 drought experienced in South Africa paralysed several subsistence farming communities in KwaZulu-Natal. To revamp subsistence farming and assist these farmers across South Africa, the Department of Water and Sanitation launched interventions, but despite the enormous resources expended, indicators (e.g. unsustainable farming practices, poor crop yield, pitiable living conditions, and poor standards of living) provide evidence that these interventions have not yielded the desired results. This paper seeks to suggest practicable interventions aimed at reducing the vulnerability of subsistence farmers in KwaZulu-Natal. The study pursued a qualitative approach in that it solicited the views of experts on groundwater and in related fields to gain an in-depth perspective. Some of the core challenges undermining the sustainability and growth of subsistence farming in the study area were found to be the inadequacy of experts on groundwater, water shortages, institutional deficiencies, lack of political will, and lack of coordination among stakeholders. Pragmatic recommendations are made to address these challenges, among other things to encourage a South African-Chinese partnership in the hydrology sector.

scholarly journals New Gram-Positive Agents: the Next Generation of Oxazolidinones and Lipoglycopeptides

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 2225-2232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew P. Crotty ◽  
Tamara Krekel ◽  
Carey-Ann D. Burnham ◽  
David J. Ritchie
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skin Structure ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
The U.S

The growing problem of antimicrobial resistance among bacterial pathogens, including methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), has reached a critical state. Tedizolid phosphate, dalbavancin, and oritavancin have recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and represent the next generation of oxazolidinones and lipoglycopeptides. All three agents exhibitin vitroactivity and clinical efficacy against MRSA. Tedizolid phosphate and oritavancin demonstratein vitroactivity against VRE. These new Gram-positive agents are reviewed here.

Reality Check: Should We Try to Detect and Isolate Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Patients?

2001 ◽  
Vol 22 (02) ◽  
pp. 116-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Ostrowsky ◽  
James T. Steinberg ◽  
Barry Farr ◽  
Annette H. Sohn ◽  
Ronda L. Sinkowitz-Cochran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Vancomycin Resistance ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Reality Check ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance, including vancomycin resistance in enterococci (VRE), is a growing problem in healthcare facilities. This “Reality Check” session focused on the question of whether we should try to detect and isolate patients colonized or infected with VRE.

scholarly journals Is It Time For a Coherent Political Question Doctrine in South Africa? Lessons from the United States

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mtendeweka Mhango
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
The United States ◽  
Current Status ◽  
The Political ◽  
Early Application ◽  
Comparative Examination ◽  
Political Question ◽  
Insight Into

This article describes the development and current status of the political question doctrine theme in South African jurisprudence. It does this through a comparative discussion of the application of this doctrine in the United States. The purpose of this comparative examination is twofold: the first is to gain insight into the origins, trends and early application of the political question doctrine. The second is to gain insight into the challenges and best practices in relation to the application of the political question doctrine elsewhere. The paper argues that while the political question doctrine theme exists in South African jurisprudence, this has not matured into a clear and transparent doctrine. It calls for the development of a clear doctrine for South Africa and offers some recommendations.

scholarly journals Influencing Factors of Maize Production in South Africa: The Case of Mpumalanga, Free State and North West Provinces

2020 ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
Andisiwe Diko ◽  
Wang Jun
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Free State ◽  
The South ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
North West ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Multi Stage

Aims: Maize is of great significance in the national food security of South Africa. Maize production levels in South Africa continue to decline, further deteriorating the situation of increased food insecurity, unemployment and increased poverty levels in the face of increasing population. This paper investigated fundamental variables influencing maize yield in the South African major maize producing regions. Study Design: A multi-stage stratified sampling method was employed to select maize producing farmers in the major maize producing provinces, namely Mpumalanga, Free State and North West provinces of South Africa. Furthermore, three districts were selected from which maize farmers were then selected. Methodology: Using linear multiple regression for a sample of 202 maize farmers, maize yield as a dependent variable was regressed against land size, fertilizer usage, labour, herbicides and seeds as independent variables. The paper employed the Cobb-Douglas production function to estimate parameters. The data obtained from the field were subjected to analysis using inferential statistics using SPSS v20. Results: The study showed that fertilizer, labour, and herbicides used in the production of maize in the study area were positively and statistically significant at a 5% confidence interval (P<0.05) with elasticity coefficients of 0.55, 0.47 and 0.198 respectively. The independent variables computed in the model had positive elasticity coefficients indicating a direct positive relationship between the input variables and maize output. The study also revealed that farmers in the study area were applying fewer amounts of fertilizer than the recommended rates per hectare. Conclusion: The study recommends that the South African government should supply inputs to maize farmers at subsidized rates to promote correct application rates and attain higher yields.  The promotion of good quality extension services to foster good agricultural practices in the production of maize is also recommended.

scholarly journals On the relationship between maxillary molar root shape and jaw kinematics in Australopithecus africanus and Paranthropus robustus

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 180825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kornelius Kupczik ◽  
Viviana Toro-Ibacache ◽  
Gabriele A. Macho
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Shape Analysis ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
East African ◽  
Australopithecus Africanus ◽  
Maxillary Molar ◽  
Dietary Niche ◽  
The Relationship

Plio-Pleistocene hominins from South Africa remain poorly understood. Here, we focus on how Australopithecus africanus and Paranthropus robustus exploited and—in part—partitioned their environment. Specifically, we explore the extent to which first maxillary molar roots (M 1 ) are oriented and thus, by proxy, estimate the direction of loads habitually exerted on the chewing surface. Landmark-based shape analysis of M 1 root reconstructions of 26 South African hominins and three East African Paranthropus boisei suggest that A. africanus may have been able to dissipate the widest range of laterally directed loads. Paranthropus robustus and P. boisei , despite having overlapping morphologies, differ in aspects of root shape/size, dento-cranial morphologies, microwear textures and C4 food consumption. Hence, while Paranthropus monophyly cannot be excluded, equivalence of dietary niche can. The South African hominins occupied distinct ecological niches, whereby P. robustus appears uniquely adapted to dissipate antero-posteriorly directed loads.

Advancing Forensic Nursing in South Africa: A matter of Stamina and Resilience

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanette Mmabosa Sebaeng ◽  
Sinegugu E Duma
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Nursing Practice ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Forensic Nursing ◽  
Conference Paper ◽  
Clinical Competencies ◽  
Nursing Science ◽  
Clinical Nursing ◽  
Victims Of Crime

Advancing a non-existing specialisation in nursing care requires strong leadership, resilience and total commitment to patient care and to the nursing profession. These were the hard lessons that we learned over almost three decades in our endeavours for the advancement of forensic nursing as a formally recognised clinical nursing specialisation in South Africa. This article is a conference paper presented at the International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science, October 2016 in Denver – Colorado and it provides the professional and personal battles experienced by the forensic nurses in advancing forensic nursing practice in South Africa. The presentation conclude by highlighting the current status and achievements of forensic nurses’ resilience and perseverance in advancing forensic nursing which include the establishment of the Association for Forensic Nurses in South Africa, the development and recognition of clinical competencies for clinical forensic nursing by the South African Nursing Council, books authored by forensic nurses and continuous professional development activities conducted in different provinces of South Africa to benefit South African Forensic Nursing Association (SAFNA) members and improve forensic nursing practice and healthcare of the victims of crime and violence. These hard lessons were shared as encouragement to other forensic nurses from countries where forensic nursing is not yet recognised.

scholarly journals First Detection of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus faecium in Latvia

2009 ◽  
Vol 63 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 234-236
Author(s):  
Dace Rudzīte ◽  
Arta Balode ◽  
Uga Dumpis ◽  
Edvīns Miklaševičs
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Enterococcus Faecium ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Advanced Treatment ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Treatment Facilities ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant

First Detection of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus faecium in Latvia Enterococci have become one of the most important nosocomial pathogens in advanced treatment facilities. Though they are not considered as very pathogenic bacteria, their high levels of antimicrobial resistance are the subject of major concern. Particularly epidemiologically important are vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) due to high risk of transmission of vancomycin resistance genes to staphylococci. We describe the first outbreak of VRE in a Latvian multidisciplinary hospital.

New type F lineage-related Tn1546and avanA/vanBtype vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faeciumisolated from patients in Dammam, Saudi Arabia during 2006–2007

2012 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
pp. 1109-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. KHAN ◽  
M. SHORMAN ◽  
J. AL-TAWFIQ ◽  
J. P. HAYS
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Clinical Setting ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Genetic Clusters ◽  
New Type ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Selection Of

SUMMARYKnowledge regarding vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) from Middle Eastern countries is scarce. We therefore investigated the antimicrobial resistance profiles and genetic relationships of VREEnterococcus faeciumisolates obtained from patients attending the King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, during 2006–2007. The predominant VRE comprised 20vanB, fivevanAand onevanA/vanBtype isolates, which tended to fall into two genetic clusters that were identifiable phenotypically by their susceptibility to tetracycline. Multi-locus sequence typing of a random selection of isolates showed that they were part of clonal cluster 17, showing the importance of this genotype in nosocomial VRE infections in Saudi Arabia. Further analysis showed that four of thevanAgenotype isolates possessed a new type F Tn1546transposon, associated with IS1216Vand IS1251. Finally,E. faecium vanA/Bisolates are rarely reported in the clinical setting including in Saudi Arabia.

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