Zoonotic Diseases

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the emergence of drug-resistant MTB undermines current control efforts. This study aimed to characterize genetic mutations associated with resistance to first- and second-line injectable drugs in MTB isolates from pulmonary TB patients in the Republic of Congo. A total of 45 culture-positive MTB isolates collected between 2018 and 2019 were analyzed using targeted next-generation sequencing on the MinION device. Resistance-associated genes, including rpoB, katG, embB, gyrA, and rrs, were examined. Overall, 22/45 isolates (48%) harbored at least one mutation associated with drug resistance. Among resistant isolates, rifampicin resistance was detected in 15 of 22 (68.2%), predominantly associated with mutations in the rpoB rifampicin resistance–determining region, including p.Ser531Leu, p.Asp516Val, and p.His526Tyr.Ethambutol resistance was observed in 11 of 22 isolates (50.0%) and was mainly associated with the embB p.Met306Val mutation. Isoniazid resistance was detected in 9 of 22 isolates (40.9%), primarily associated with the KatG p.Ser315Thr mutation. Fluoroquinolone resistance was identified in 2 of 22 isolates (9.1%), mainly associated with gyrA p.Ala90Val and p.Asp94Gly mutations. Resistance to second-line injectable drugs was detected in 1 of 22 isolates (4.5%) and was associated with the rrs p.Ala1401Gly mutation. These findings underscore the need to enhance molecular surveillance and strengthen treatment protocols for drug-resistant TB in the Republic of Congo to effectively combat this evolving health crisis.

Background: Africa is a continent with diverse climates, landscapes, rainfall patterns, and vegetation types, all of which significantly influence its mammalian fauna, particularly small mammals. Rodents, which are highly diverse across the continent, serve as reservoirs for various zoonotic pathogens. Frequent human–rodent interactions heighten the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, posing a serious public health concern. Methods: This study conducted a comprehensive review of rodent control methods and their effectiveness in mitigating zoonotic diseases in Africa. Literature searches were performed using PubMed, Web of Science, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar. Additionally, one study was manually identified from the reference lists of the retrieved papers. Results: Thirteen relevant studies were identified, including seven field-based studies, five model evaluations, and one review. The distribution of studies varied by country, with the highest numbers conducted in Guinea (n = 3) and Nigeria (n = 3), followed by Sierra Leone (n = 2), Uganda (n = 2), Morocco (n = 1), Tanzania (n = 1), and Madagascar (n = 1). Two primary rodent control methods, kill traps and rodenticides, were used, targeting multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis) and black/roof rats (Rattus rattus), the species most frequently encountered in human settings. Conclusion: Most studies examined short-term rodent management strategies, which proved insufficient in significantly reducing zoonotic disease prevalence. These findings highlight the need for Africa to adopt more sustainable, ecologically based rodent control approaches to effectively curb zoonotic risks in the long term.

Background: With the worldwide resurgence of Mpox in 2022, understanding its regional features is important. This systematic review aimed to provide an overview of the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes of Mpox in Saudi Arabia to fill the knowledge gaps in this area. Methods: Following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, a systematic search was performed on PubMed, MEDLINE (via Ovid), Scopus and Wiley Online Library for case reports and series published on Mpox in Saudi Arabia after 2022. Results: Analysis included eight studies comprising a total of 410 patients with confirmatory data. The cohort was predominantly male (91%), with a mean age of 32.8 years. Extramarital sexual contact was the most frequently identified risk factor (28.8%), whereas most patients (63.4%) had unknown or denied exposure routes. The most common clinical manifestations were fever (97.1%) and rash (96.8%). Dermatological findings were usually pleomorphic. These included umbilicated pustules, crusted papules, and vesiculopustular lesions. Although management was primarily supportive, rare complications, such as keratitis and neurological deficits, were observed. Conclusions: In Saudi Arabia, Mpox primarily affects young adult males, particularly individuals with high-risk sexual behaviors. Much of this transmission remains undetermined, and better contact tracing and focused public health efforts are urgently required.