Access Microbiology - Current Issue

To date, data on animal enteroviruses (EVs) are scarce, especially in Central Africa. The aim of this study was to characterize EVs among pigs and goats in Cameroon and the Central African Republic (CAR). A total of 226 pig and goat faecal samples collected in two previous studies carried out in Cameroon and CAR were pooled and screened with molecular assays targeting EV-Es, EV-Fs and EV-Gs. EV genomes were amplified by RT-PCR and their sequences were obtained by Illumina sequencing and de novo assembly. Based on the capsid sequences, 27 EV-G sequences were identified and assigned to 11 virus types, while no EV-E or EV-F was observed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the EV-Gs detected in Central Africa do not form specific clusters compared to EV-Gs previously reported in other continents. This suggests a worldwide circulation of EV-Gs, which is likely due to the massive international trade of live animals. One human EV, EV-C99, which belongs to the species Enterovirus C, was detected in pigs. This is the third detection of such an event in a similar context, reinforcing the hypothesis that some EV-Cs could be infecting pigs. Our work provides new data on the genetic diversity of EVs circulating among domestic animals in Central Africa.

Introduction. A better understanding of knowledge, attitude and practices of undergraduate medical students towards antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is necessary to identify gaps in the current training curriculum.

Methods. A 20-point Likert scale-based questionnaire divided into three parts, knowledge, attitude and practices, relating to antibiotic use and resistance was devised. Students attending each year of the undergraduate medical programme were approached to participate in the study over a 1-week period. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices scores of each year were compared through logistic ordinal regression and the Kruskal–Wallis (KW) test.

Results. Two hundred and eight students participated in the study. Overall, knowledge of about intended use of antibiotics, fixed drug combinations and awareness about AMR was good (average score of 73.75%). Steady improvement in knowledge scores was observed from the first year (−0.441) to the final year (0.00). The medical students had favourable attitude towards rational antimicrobial use (Likert score ≥4), including the need to spread awareness about AMR amongst students and the public and following doctor’s prescriptions. Self-medication was reported by 28.4% of students and hoarding of leftover doses by 49.1%. Attitude score had a direct correlation with the knowledge score on the KW test (χ 2=29.6, P≤0.5) but had no significant correlation with antimicrobial practices (χ 2=3.9, P≥0.5). The gaps identified in students’ practices included self-medication, skipping of dosing and hoarding of leftover medication.

Conclusion. As improvement in knowledge did not correlate with better personal behaviours regarding antibiotics, the current curriculum needs to include AMR as a focus area to ensure good antibiotic prescribing practices in future practitioners.

Introduction. Comparative immunogenicity from different mRNA booster vaccines (directed at WT, BA.1 or BA.4/5 antigens) remains unclear.

Methods. We included blood samples from adult paramedics who received three mRNA WT-directed vaccines plus a fourth dose of the following: (1) WT monovalent, (2) Moderna BA.1-WT bivalent or (3) Pfizer BA.4/5 WT bivalent vaccine. The primary outcome was angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) inhibition to BA.4/5 antigen. We used optimal pair matching (using age, sex-at-birth, preceding SARS-CoV-2 infection and fourth vaccine-to-blood collection interval) to create balanced groups to individually compare each vaccine type to each other vaccine (overall, within subgroups defined by SARS-CoV-2 infection and after combining BA.1 and BA.4/5 cases). We compared outcomes with the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test.

Results. Overall, 158 paramedics (mean age 45 years) were included. ACE2 inhibition was higher for BA.1 compared to WT (P=0.002); however, no difference was detected between BA.4/5 vs. WT or BA.1 vs. BA.4/5. Among cases with preceding SARS-CoV-2, there were no detected between-group differences. Among cases without preceding SARS-CoV-2, the only detected difference was BA.1>WT (P=0.003). BA.1 and BA.4/5 cases combined had higher ACE2 inhibition than WT (P=0.003).

Conclusion. Omicron-directed vaccines appear to improve Omicron-specific immunogenicity; however, this appears limited to SARS-CoV-2-naive individuals.

Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, ranging from benign cystitis to complicated pyelonephritis, which can lead to severe complications such as pyonephrosis and sepsis. Pyonephrosis, characterized by the presence of pus in the renal cavities, often requires urgent urological intervention. We report a unique case of pyonephrosis with a psoas abscess caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Peribacillus simplex in a 64-year-old diabetic female patient. This is the first case of pyonephrosis caused by P. simplex. The patient presented with acute right lumbar pain, fever and altered consciousness. Imaging revealed severe right hydronephrosis, pyonephrosis and a perirenal phlegmon infiltrating the psoas with abscesses. Surgical drainage and nephrectomy were performed. Microbiological and proteomic analyses identified K. pneumoniae and P. simplex. This case highlights the importance of considering environmental bacteria like P. simplex in severe infections and ensuring rigorous protocols to avoid contamination. Successful management of pyonephrosis relies on prompt surgical drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy based on culture results.