GERMS

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Open AccessCorrection

Erratum

by Aziz Bouymajane, Fouzia Rhazi Filali, Said Oulghazi, Abdelaziz Ed-Dra, Faouzia Benhallam, Abdallah El Allaoui, Jaouad Anissi, Khalid Sendide, Bouchra Ouhmidou and Mohieddine Moumni

GERMS 2019, 9(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.18683/germs.2019.1157 - 1 Mar 2019

Abstract

Bouymajane A, Rhazi Filali F, Oulghazi S, Ed-dra A, Benhallam F, El Allaoui A, Anissi J, Sendide K, Ouhmidou B, Moumni M [...] Full article

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Open AccessCase Report

Escherichia coli Bacteremia with Secondary Seeding in the Sternoclavicular Joint: A Case Report and Literature Review

by Dima Youssef and Ashish Bhargava

GERMS 2019, 9(1), 43-46; https://doi.org/10.18683/germs.2019.1156 - 1 Mar 2019

Cited by 3

Abstract

Introduction: Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is a rare phenomenon in healthy individuals. It is generally described in patients with predisposing risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, intravenous drug use, immunosuppression, chronic liver disease and central venous catheters. Case report: We [...] Read more.

Introduction: Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) is a rare phenomenon in healthy individuals. It is generally described in patients with predisposing risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, intravenous drug use, immunosuppression, chronic liver disease and central venous catheters. Case report: We describe a case of Escherichia coli related SCJ septic arthritis in an otherwise healthy adult with review of the literature. Discussion: There were only two previous reports of patients with E. coli and to our knowledge, this is the third case of a patient with SCJ septic arthritis secondary to E. coli without predisposing factors. A review of literature on SCJ septic arthritis among otherwise healthy adults showed that pain and redness of the SCJ are the most common presentation symptoms, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common causative organism. More than half of these patients required surgical intervention for associated complications, but all patients had complete recovery with appropriate treatment with no reported mortality. Conclusions: SCJ infection is rare and has a significant morbidity. It should be identified and treated properly to avoid the development of complications. Imaging studies are used to assist in making the diagnosis, and culture results help to identify the pathogen. Full article

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Open AccessReview

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV): A Review

by Nour Ramadan and Houssam Shaib

GERMS 2019, 9(1), 35-42; https://doi.org/10.18683/germs.2019.1155 - 1 Mar 2019

Cited by 186

Abstract

As a novel coronavirus first reported by Saudi Arabia in 2012, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is responsible for an acute human respiratory syndrome. The virus, of 2C beta-CoV lineage, expresses the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) receptor and is densely endemic [...] Read more.

As a novel coronavirus first reported by Saudi Arabia in 2012, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is responsible for an acute human respiratory syndrome. The virus, of 2C beta-CoV lineage, expresses the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) receptor and is densely endemic in dromedary camels of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. MERS-CoV is zoonotic but human-to-human transmission is also possible. Surveillance and phylogenetic researches indicate MERS-CoV to be closely associated with bats’ coronaviruses, suggesting bats as reservoirs, although unconfirmed. With no vaccine currently available for MERS-CoV nor approved prophylactics, its global spread to over 25 countries with high fatalities highlights its role as ongoing public health threat. An articulated action plan ought to be taken, preferably from a One Health perspective, for appropriately advanced countermeasures against MERS-CoV. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Diversity of Toxin Genotypes and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens Isolates from Feces of Infants

by Alaa J Al Radaideh, Eman F Badran and Asem A Shehabi

GERMS 2019, 9(1), 28-34; https://doi.org/10.18683/germs.2019.1154 - 1 Mar 2019

Cited by 6

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated the most important epidemiological characteristics of C. perfringens strains colonizing the intestine of Jordanian infants. Methods: A total of 302 fecal samples were collected from Jordanian infants aged ≤ 1 year from patients hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care [...] Read more.

Introduction: This study investigated the most important epidemiological characteristics of C. perfringens strains colonizing the intestine of Jordanian infants. Methods: A total of 302 fecal samples were collected from Jordanian infants aged ≤ 1 year from patients hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit and from the outpatient department. Samples were cultured for detection of C. perfringens and evaluation of their antimicrobial resistance; identification of their potential toxins genes was performed using PCR. Results: Overall the C. perfringens colonization rate was 27.2% (82/302). Infants aged ≤ 6 months showed significantly higher (p < 0.004) colonization than older infants. The occurrence rates of C. perfringens isolates carrying potential specific toxin genes were as follows: alpha toxin 95.1% (78/82), beta-2 toxin 69.5% (57/82), beta toxin 14.6% (12/82), and only 2.4% (2/82) epsilon toxin. No isolate carried the iota toxin. Genotype A was the most prevalent among C. perfringens isolates (78.1%). The antimicrobial resistance rates of C. perfringens isolates were 20% to metronidazole and erythromycin, 16.7% to levofloxacin, and 6.7% to vancomycin. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the majority of C. perfringens isolates from feces of Jordanian infants were classified as type A, few isolates were classified as type C and type D, and all were negative for potential enterotoxin genes causing diarrhea. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Antibiotic Resistance Profiling of Pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae from Cluj-Napoca, Romania

by Anca Farkas, Emma Tarco and Anca Butiuc-Keul

GERMS 2019, 9(1), 17-27; https://doi.org/10.18683/germs.2019.1153 - 1 Mar 2019

Cited by 19

Abstract

Introduction: Members of the family Enterobacteriaceae are commonly identified in the clinical laboratory, being responsible for a substantial range of infections. This study aimed to investigate phenotypic and genotypic resistance traits in pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae isolated from outpatients in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Methods: Pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae [...] Read more.

Introduction: Members of the family Enterobacteriaceae are commonly identified in the clinical laboratory, being responsible for a substantial range of infections. This study aimed to investigate phenotypic and genotypic resistance traits in pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae isolated from outpatients in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Methods: Pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from urinary tract infections, wound infections and persistent diarrhea in a private laboratory from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Bacterial strains were biochemically identified and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk diffusion. The carriage of antibiotic resistance genes and of class 1 integron were assessed by PCR. Results: E. coli and Enterobacter spp. were the most prevalent pathogens. High levels of resistance were observed against folate pathway inhibitors (74%), fluoroquinolones (49%) and penicillins (44%). The incidence of carbapenem resistance was 3%. The strains displaying phenotypic resistance were able to produce β-lactamase enzymes encoded by bla_TEM, bla_TEM-1, bla_SHV-1 and bla_CTX-M, aminoglycoside modifying enzymes due to the carriage of aac(3)-IIIa,aac(6')-II and aac(6’)-Ie-aph(2”), to possess fluoroquinolones resistance due to qnrS DNA gyrase protection proteins and resistance to folate pathway inhibitors due to dihydropteroate synthases encoded by sul1, sul2 and sul3 genes. The high frequency of intI1 integrase was associated to sulphonamide resistance (r = 0.48; p < 0.001) and also to fluoroquinolone resistance (r = 0.27; p = 0.011), but no significant associations in the co-occurrence of specific antibiotic resistance genes and intI1 were found in pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae. Conclusions: An important proportion of pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae were multidrug resistant, due to a wide diversity of mechanisms encoding genetic resistance. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacterial Pathogens Recovered from the Hand and Mobile Phones of University Students

by Waleed Al Momani, Moawiah Khatatbeh and Zaid Altaany

GERMS 2019, 9(1), 9-16; https://doi.org/10.18683/germs.2019.1152 - 1 Mar 2019

Cited by 14

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to isolate bacterial pathogens from the dominant hand and mobile phones and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. The dominant hand and mobile surfaces were swabbed to detect the transmission of bacterial pathogens among university students. Methods: Two hundred [...] Read more.

Introduction: This study aimed to isolate bacterial pathogens from the dominant hand and mobile phones and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. The dominant hand and mobile surfaces were swabbed to detect the transmission of bacterial pathogens among university students. Methods: Two hundred and twenty hand and mobile phone swabs were collected from the students of four different colleges in a Jordanian university between October and December 2017. The swabs were collected and transported to the Microbiology laboratory within one hour. At the lab, swabs were inoculated on nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, blood agar and mannitol salt agar. The subsequent bacterial isolates were identified by their cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Results: Eight bacterial species were isolated and identified in the current study, namely Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus spp. and Escherichia coli. The percentage of isolated bacteria was 54.5%, 25.5%, 14.5% and 5.5% from veterinary, biology, biomedical engineering and chemistry students, respectively. Many isolates were highly resistant to most tested antibiotics. Conclusions: Pathogenic bacteria were detected with multiple antibiotic resistance indexes. Hands and mobile phones can act as carriers for infectious agents, suggesting the need for proper hand hygiene and disinfecting mobile phones surfaces. Full article

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Open AccessEditorial

HepHIV2019 Bucharest Conference: Challenges of Timely and Integrated Testing and Care

by Jürgen K. Rockstroh, Daniel Simões and Adrian Streinu-Cercel

GERMS 2019, 9(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.18683/germs.2019.1151 - 1 Mar 2019

Abstract

The HepHIV2019 conference was held in Bucharest, Romania, between 28-30 January 2019 [...] Full article

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GERMS, Volume 9, Issue 1 (03 2019) – 7 articles , Pages 8-47

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