Polymicrobial infections associated with diarrhoea are common in developing countries. Stool specimens were collected from 220 patient children and 100 controls. Potential pathogenic agents isolated from 143 (65%) children were identified by molecular and standard microbiological methods. Co-infections with two or more agents were detected in 50 (35%) cases. Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Giardia and Entamoeba histolytica were found to be predominant. The etiologic agents could not be determined in 77 (35%) cases. The most significant risk factors were the age, the education level of the mother and the use of non-chlorinated water. The high infection rate of diarrhoeal diseases is a strong indication that these pathogens circulate easily through the population.
A study of single stool specimens was done to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among 1,000 primary school children. A questionnaire was completed by each child's parents. Specimens were examined by using wet-mount preparation, formaline-ether concentration, and Sheather's flotation technique. Trichrome and acid-fast stains were done. Blastocystis hominis was observed in 203 (20.3%) of the specimens examined, and 175 specimens contained this organism in the absence of other pathogenic parasites. Older children had fewer B. hominis infections (6 to 7 years old, 50%o infection rate; 8 to 9 years, 27.5%; 10 to 12 years, 9.5%). The most common complaints reported by 75 children harboring the parasite were a mild recurrent diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, anorexia, and fatigue. Blastocystosis is quite common among schoolchildren. Contaminated drinking water is suspected to be the source of infection.
Introduction: The purpose of the study was to isolate, identify, and determine the antimicrobial resistance of the bacterial pathogens recovered from shawarma (donair) sandwiches served to the public in Jordan. Methodology: Bacterial contamination of 100 shawarma sandwiches with pathogenic bacteria was studied by culture on selective media, serology, PCR assay, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results: One hundred and forty-five bacterial isolates were identified. The predominant species was Escherichia coli (28.3%), with six isolates of serotype O157:H7, followed by Salmonella spp. (25.5%). Higher contamination rates were found in chicken sandwiches. The majority of these bacteria expressed high resistance to several antimicrobials, especially tetracycline and streptomycin. Citrobacter freundii was isolated from 15.9% and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 8.3% of the sandwiches. The presence of these pathogens is of primary concern because some strains are capable of producing a heat-stable enterotoxin that causes food poisoning in humans, and should therefore be taken into account in risk assessment. Conclusions: Results signify the importance of sustained surveillance of foodborne pathogens in shawarma sandwiches to minimize the risk of contamination. Availability of data on the isolated pathogens and modes of transmission in food from different countries would provide a common ground for reaching international agreement on food safety regulations.
The invasion of the bloodstream represents one of the most important sequelae of infection. This study was conducted over an 18-month period to determine the predominant bacterial agents of a community-acquired bacteraemia seen at health centres in a rural area of Jordan, and their antibiotic susceptibilities. Blood samples were collected and cultured from 215 patients who presented with fever and presumed diagnosis of a bacteraemia. Isolates were identified and tested for antibiotic susceptibility. The variables included the age and sex of the patients, aetiology, sources of the bacteraemia, risk factors, treatment and outcome. One hundred and twenty-six (58 . 6 %) blood cultures were positive. Children less than 14 years old accounted for 34 . 9 % of these, and 38 % were from patients that were more than 50 years old. The most frequent aetiologic agents were Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Brucella melitensis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. A wide range of resistance to commonly used antimicrobial agents and multidrug resistance was documented in 44 . 4 % of the isolates. The most frequent sources of the bacteraemia were urinary (15 . 9 %), respiratory (14 . 3 %), no source of the bacteraemia identified (primary bacteraemia) (13 . 5 %), gastrointestinal (12 . 7 %) and soft-tissue infection (7 . 9 %). No identifiable risk factor for infection could be determined in 34 % of the patients. The predominant pathogens identified and the relatively high prevalence of antibiotic resistance of the isolates are most probably due to the nature and lifestyle of this rural population and the use of empiric treatment. Characteristics permitting recognition of patients with such strains would aid infection control efforts in the community. INTRODUCTIONIt has been recognized that the presence of living microorganisms in the blood of a patient carries with it considerable morbidity and mortality . Despite all the advances in medical practices in recent years, bacteraemia continues to be a serious problem that needs immediate attention and treatment. In addition, it is still one of the main causes of mortality despite the existence of numerous antimicrobial agents and an increase in means of support. Patients with community-acquired bacteraemia have diseases with a differing spectrum of pathogens and prognosis. A variety of factors, such as the type of micro-organism, age, the underlying disease and where the bacteraemia was acquired, can change the prognosis of the infection (Cisterna et al., 2001). Bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients are usually attributable to the use of central venous lines. However, in cases of community-acquired bacteraemia, the underlying disease is usually unknown and investigators have attempted to define the factors that influence the outcome of these infections. The bacteraemia in certain infections is considered the best practical way to identify the causative organism because the invasion of the bloodstream represents one of the most important sequelae of infection. The isolation of bac...
The project described here was conducted to study the prevalence of various parasites in elementary school children in northern Jordan. A single stool specimen was collected from each of 1,000 students in the 6to 14-year-old age group. A questionnaire covering demographic information, health status, and other relevant information was filled out by one of the parents of each student. Fresh stool specimens were processed by using wet mount preparations, formalin-ether, and Sheather's sugar flotation techniques. Permanently stained slides were prepared by acid-fast, Giemsa, and trichrome staining. Cryptosporidium species was found in 40 specimens (4%); however, only 15 specimens had Cryptosporidium species alone, and these 15 specimens were from symptomatic children with diarrheic stools. The symptoms reported most often were abdominal pain, cramps, malaise, nausea, and headache. The number of cases of infection was higher in villages, where contact with animals was evident and where contaminated drinking water could have been a major source of the infections.
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