Background In Cameroon, since the first epidemiological week held in 2015, snakebites have been registered among Potential Epidemic Diseases (PED). In the Centre Region, the most densely populated of the country, weekly reports of snakebites are generated at health districts level for monthly data updates. Methods To contribute to the better management of snakebite cases, an observational study was conducted to assess the snakebite reporting rate in the Centre Region of Cameroon. The results of this retro-prospective survey were confronted to those of the weekly epidemiological surveillance system, recorded in the PED regional data base. Results The incidence of bites was relatively high (36.6 bites per 100,000 inhabitants), as well as the general attack rate (about 49 envenomations per 100 victims). The lethality recorded was 2.5% and the mortality was about 1 death per 100,000 inhabitants a year. The sex ratio was largely female biased (61.6%). The bites occurred mostly during the rainy season (73.0%). Bitten victims were mainly farmers (47.4%), and agriculture was the main risk factor. The comparative analysis of the data suggested a high non-reporting rate of snakebite cases (67.8%). Conclusion Snakebite is an endemic condition in the Centre Region of Cameroon. Because of the high rate of non-reporting of cases, the collection of information from the registers of the health facilities only appears not enough to assess the real importance of envenomation in this Region.

Background Worldwide, bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs) constitute an important cause of morbidity and mortality in clinical settings. Due to the limited laboratory facilities in sub-Saharan Africa, poor diagnosis of BSIs results in poor clinical outcomes and leads to a risk of antimicrobial resistance. The present work was carried out to describe the microbiological features of BSIs using the data collected from Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (CHUK). Methods A retrospective study was carried out at CHUK. The blood culture results of 2,910 cases – from adults, children and infants – were reviewed in the Microbiology service from October 2017 to October 2018. The following variables were considered: age, gender, admitting department, blood culture results, and antimicrobials sensitivity test results. Data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2013. Results Twelve percent (341/2,910) of blood culture results reviewed were positive with 108 (31.7%) Gram positive bacteria and 233 (68.3%) Gram negative bacteria. The most prevalent pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae 108 (31.7%) and Staphylococcus aureus 100 (29.3%). This study revealed a high resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics such as penicillin, trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, and Ampicillin with 91.8, 83.3, and 81.8% of resistance, respectively. However, bacteria were sensitive to imipenem and vancomycin with 98.1 and 94.3% of sensitivity, respectively. The pediatrics and neonatology departments showed a high number of positive culture with 97/341 (28.4%), and 93/341 (27%) respectively. The overall prevalence of multidrug resistance was 77.1%. Conclusion The prevalence of bacterial pathogens in BSIs was found to be high. The antibiotic resistance to the commonly used antibiotics was high. Appropriate treatment of BSIs should be based on the current knowledge of bacterial resistance pattern. This study will help in formulating management of diagnostic guidelines and antibiotic policy.

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Background: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used for long time due to its potential antimicrobial activity against diversity of microbial pathogens. Aims and Objectives: The study was carried out to investigate the bacteria pathogens found in digestive tract infections and assess antimicrobial activities of ginger extract to identified bacteria. Materials and Methods: Bacteriological studies were carried out on stool samples from 30 patients attending Muhoza health center. Different types of bacteria were isolated from stool samples of digestive tract infection patients by using various methods such culture, biochemical test and antimicrobial activity of ginger extracts was analyzed at INES-Ruhengeri in clinical microbiology laboratory. Results: Study findings showed isolated bacteria and antibacterial activity of Ginger. Isolated bacteria and their percentages including Escherichia coli (46.6%) which is the predominant isolated bacteria, Salmonella species (33.33%), Enterobacter spp (10.0%), Shigella spp (6.6%) and Citrobacter (3.33%) which is the least isolated bacteria. Antibacterial activity of ginger was seen on isolated bacteria, as ethanol and methanol were used for ginger oil extraction, the antibacterial activity of ginger extracts using ethanol was seen on isolated bacteria such us Citrobacter spp with 14 mm of inhibition zone, Shigella spp with 12 mm, Salmonella with 11.1 mm, E. coli with 9.5 mm and Enterobacter spp which was seen to be resistant to ginger extract using ethanol with 0.66mm of inhibition zone. For methanol extracts antibacterial activity was seen as follows: Citrobacter spp at 12 mm, Shigella spp at 11 mm, E. coli at 8 mm, salmonella spp at 6.1 mm, and Enterobacter spp with 5 mm. Enterobacter spp was seen to be the most resistant bacteria in both extracts. Conclusion: Ginger has shown to have an antibacterial activity on bacteria isolated from digestive tract infected patients. It can be used as a medicine to treat these infections. Number of researches should be done to be sure on this reality of antibacterial activity of ginger.