ObjectiveGroup B Streptococcus (GBS) or Streptococcus agalactiae is part of the normal flora of the gut and genital tract, thus carrier pregnant women can transmit this germ to newborns which could cause early neonatal infection. In Cameroon, few studies have been conducted on GBS, thus this study sought to detect the rectal and vaginal colonization rates and the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the identified strains in pregnant women. We therefore conducted a cross-sectional study over a 6 months period analysing vaginal and anorectal samples obtained from 100 pregnant women. Cultures for the isolation of GBS were carried out according to standard microbiological methods and grouping done using the Pastorex strep Kit. All strains isolated were used for susceptibility test to various antibiotics as recommended by the French microbiology society, using the disk-diffusion method.ResultsThe detected colonization rate was 14%. No resistance to ampicillin, oxacillin, amoxycillin–clavulanate, cefotaxime, pristinamycin, vancomycin and clindamycin was found. Just 12, 94 and 82% of strains showed sensitivity to gentamycin, erythromycin and cefoxitin respectively. This study therefore revealed that at least one out of every ten women is GBS colonized and strains showed uniform sensitivity to beta lactamines. However, decreased sensitivity to erythromycin was detected.

Multiple factors, such as immune disruption, prophylactic co-trimoxazole, and antiretroviral therapy, may influence the structure and function of the gut microbiome of children infected with HIV from birth. In order to understand whether HIV infection altered gut microbiome and to relate changes in microbiome structure and function to immune status, virological response and pediatric ART regimens, we characterized the gut microbiome of 87 HIV-infected and 82 non-exposed HIV-negative children from Yaounde, a cosmopolitan city in Cameroon. We found that children living with HIV had significantly lower alpha diversity in their gut microbiome and altered beta diversity that may not be related to CD4+ T cell count or viral load. There was an increased level of Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium genera and decreased level of Escherichia and other Gamma proteobacteria in children infected with HIV, among other differences. We noted an effect of ethnicity/geography on observed gut microbiome composition and that children on ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r)-based ART had gut microbiome composition that diverged more from HIV-negative controls compared to those on non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors-based ART. Further studies investigating the role of this altered gut microbiome in increased disease susceptibility are warranted for individuals who acquired HIV via mother-to-child transmission.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the earliest pathogens involved in human infections, responsible for a large variety of pathologies. Methicillin was the first antibiotic used to treat infections due to S. aureus but infections due to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) originated from hospital settings. Later, severe infections due to MRSA without any contact with the hospital environment or health care workers arose. Prevalence of MRSA has shown an alarming increase worldover including Cameroon. This Cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of MRSA infections in five different, most frequented Hospitals in northern Cameroon. Socio demographic data was recorded through questionnaire and different clinical specimens were collected for bacterial isolation. Identification of S. aureus was confirmed via 16s rRNA amplification using S. aureus specific primers. Molecular characterisation was performed through mecA gene, Luk PV gene screening and SCCmec typing. A total of 380 S. aureus clinical isolates were obtained of which 202 (53.2%) were nonduplicate multidrug resistant isolates containing, 45.5% MRSA. Higher number of MRSA was isolated from pus (30.4%) followed by blood culture (18.5%), and urine (17.4%). Patients aged 15 to 30 years presented high prevalence of MRSA (30.4%). Majority isolates (97.8%) carried the mecA gene, PVL toxin screening indicated 53.3% isolates carried the lukPV gene. Based on PVL detection and clinical history, CA-MRSA represented 53.3% of isolates. SCCmec typing showed that the Type IV was most prevalent (29.3%), followed by type I (23.9%). Amongst MRSA isolates high resistance to penicillin (91.1%), cotrimoxazole (86.7%), tetracycline (72.2%), and ofloxacin (70.0%) was detected. Meanwhile, rifampicin, fusidic acid, lincomycin and minocycline presented high efficacy in bacterial control. This study revealed a high prevalence of MRSA among infections due to S. aureus in Northern Cameroon. All MRSA recorded were multidrug resistant and the prevalence of CA MRSA are subsequently increasing, among population.

Background: In recent years, a worldwide dissemination of CTX-M beta-lactamase-type in Escherichia coli strains isolates from community-acquired urinary tract infections (CA-UTI) has been observed. However little is known on the prevalence and risk factors of this global threat in developing countries. Objective: The aim of this study was to study the prevalence and risk factors for CA-UTI in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Methods: Eighty six patients with urinary E.coli infection recruited from 10 health structures in the town of Yaoundé, Cameroon. After taking the first urine, faeces were collected from the patients for the study of the intestinal flora. The sample collection of faeces was done on a selected gel of enterobacteria resistant to third generation of cephalosporin. The molecular typing of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) was carried out. Results: Eighty-six strains of E. coli from 86 patients were included. We found that 39 (45.3%) strains produced an extendedspectrum beta-lactamase. Among risk factors, previous use of antibiotic and the dry season were associated with the presence of an ESBL-producing strain in the urine. All ESBL were identified as CTX-M. The production of CTX-M was found to be significantly associated with resistance to fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides and to the association of trimethoprim-sulfamethazole. Conclusions: The prevalence of CTX-M ESBL in Yaoundé, Cameroon, provides new evidence on the global dissemination of CTX-M and the extent of this phenomenon in developing countries.