Lassa fever infection among health care workers in Nigeria, 2019

Abstract

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of biofilm associated infections. Identification and differentiation of S. aureus with respect to its biofilm phenotype helps in diagnosis and prevention of infections related to biomedical devices.The aim of this study was to determine the rate of nasal carriage biofilm producing Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA)among Health Care Workers (HCWs)Methods and materials: A total of 232 nasal swabs were taken from HCWs at Manmohan Memorial Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu. S. aureus was isolated using Mannitol Salt Agar and identified by examination of colony characteristics, gram staining, oxidase, catalase, coagulase (slide and tube method) and Deoxyribonuclease test. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method as recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. MRSA was detected phenotypically using Cefoxitin disk test. In-vitro biofilm producing capacity of isolated S. aureus was evaluated by tissue culture plate method.Results: A total of 34(14.7%) S. aureus was isolated amongst which 12(35.3%) were MRSA. Overall rate of nasal carriage MRSA was found to be 5.2% (12/232). Among 34 isolated S. aureus, 10(29.4%) were strong, 7(20.6%) were moderate, 8(23.5%) were weak biofilm producers whereas 9(26.5%) were biofilm non-producers.Among 12 MRSA, 10(83.3%) were biofilm producers of which 4(33.3%) were strong, 2(16.7%) were moderate, 4(33.3%) were weak and 2(16.7%) were biofilm-non producers whereas among 22 methicillin susceptible strains, 15(68.1%) were biofilm producers of which 6(27.3%) were strong, 5(22.7%) were moderate, 4(18.2%) were weak and 7(31.8%) were biofilm nonproducers.Incidence of methicillin resistance was higher among biofilm producers i.e. 10/25(40%) with respect to biofilm nonproducers i.e. 2/9(22.2%). All isolated strains were found susceptible to Vancomycin, Tetracycline and Teicoplanin.Conclusion::Our study suggests that the rate of nasal carriage ebiofilm producing MRSA is very high among HCWs with decreased susceptibility to antimicrobials.Hence, proper identification and treatment of carrier HCWs can help to minimize medical device associated as well as other HCW associated infections.

Clinical characterization of Lassa fever: A systematic review of clinical reports and research to inform clinical trial design

“…[11] High prevalence of LF has been identified in healthcare workers [5] which is thought to be a result of low levels of clinical suspicion of LF and an inadequate supply of quality protective equipment, making adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures challenging. [12,13] Pregnant women are three-times more likely to have a fatal outcome than non-pregnant adults. [14] No drug has so far received regulatory approval for treating LF.…”

Lassa fever: knowledge deficits among nurses and non-nurses at a tertiary hospital in Ondo, southwest Nigeria

“…The common symptoms of Lassa fever are often non-specific until there is overwhelming viraemia. In 2019, a low index of suspicion was identified as a major reason why sixteen HCWs (>50% of whom are in the tertiary hospitals and involved 6 nurses) were infected with Lassa fever virus; in fact, twelve (75%) of them admitted not suspecting that they had Lassa fever [26] .…”