Cataglyphis desert ants use distinct behavioral and physiological adaptations to cope with extreme thermal conditions.

Some ant species live in hot and arid environments, such as deserts and savannas. Worker polymorphism-variation in worker size and/or morphology within colonies-is adaptive in such ecosystems because it enhances resistance to heat stress and increases the efficiency of resource exploitation. However, species with small, monomorphic workers are also frequently found in these environments.

Determination of Punicalagins Content, Metal Chelating, and Antioxidant Properties of Edible Pomegranate () Peels and Seeds Grown in Morocco.

Pomegranate () is widely cultivated in the Mediterranean countries especially in Morocco. Pomegranate peel and seed contain considerable amounts of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. The aim of the present study was to phytochemically characterize the pomegranate peels and seeds obtained from three Moroccan provinces, using UHPLC-DAD.

Changing epidemiology of pediatric Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates before vaccine introduction in Casablanca (Morocco).

The objective of this study was to describe the evolution over time of serotypes and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates responsible for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children ≤5 years in Casablanca (Morocco), before vaccine introduction. Isolates recovered from cases of IPD in children ≤5 years during two study periods (1994-2001 and 2006-2010) were compared in terms of serotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility. Serogrouping was done using Pneumotest Kit and serotyping was done by the Quellung capsular swelling.

Eleven-year surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae in Casablanca (Morocco).

Objective: To analyze trends of antibiotic resistance rates in Streptococcus pneumoniae from 1998 to 2008 in Casablanca (Morocco).

Methods: The antibiotic resistance levels of 955 consecutive nonduplicate isolates were studied using E test and disc diffusion methods. Results were interpreted following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines (2005).

Health care worker perceptions of hand hygiene practices and obstacles in a developing region.

A structured self-assessment questionnaire was distributed to 8 southern and eastern Mediterranean hospitals to identify perceived obstacles to hand hygiene (HH). An insufficient number of sinks and alcohol handrub stations was rated by the vast majority of respondents as the most critical impediment, whereas improved availability of HH products was deemed the key intervention to increase compliance. The least importance and relevance were given to HH auditing and collegial reminders.

Self-protection as a driver for hand hygiene among healthcare workers.

A total of 2,725 healthcare workers in 8 Mediterranean countries replied to a self-assessment questionnaire that assessed their perceptions on hand hygiene. Responses revealed that rates of hand hygiene compliance before patient contact were significantly less than rates after patient contact (P < .001) and that use of soap and water was preferred over use of alcohol-based hand rub.

Correlation between meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevalence and infection control initiatives within southern and eastern Mediterranean hospitals.

The Mediterranean region has been identified as an area of hyper-endemicity for multi-resistant hospital pathogens. To better understand potential drivers behind this situation, we attempted to correlate already published meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) data from 27 hospitals, participants in the Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance & Control in the Mediterranean Region (ARMed) project, with responses received from the same institutions to questionnaires which dealt with various aspects of infection control and antibiotic stewardship. No difference could be ascertained between high and low prevalence hospitals in terms of scores from replies to structured questions regarding infection control set-up, hand hygiene facilities and antibiotic stewardship practices.

Infection control and antibiotic stewardship practices reported by south-eastern Mediterranean hospitals collaborating in the ARMed project.

The prevalence of multiply resistant organisms (MROs) reported from south-eastern Mediterranean hospitals highlights the need to identify possible contributory factors to help design control interventions. This was investigated through a structured questionnaire, which examined infection control and antibiotic stewardship practices in hospitals participating or collaborating with the Antibiotic Resistance SurveilLance & Control in the Mediterranean Region (ARMed) project. A total of 45 hospitals (78.

Antibiotic resistance in the southeastern Mediterranean--preliminary results from the ARMed project.

Sporadic reports from centres in the south and east of the Mediterranean have suggested that the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in this region appears to be considerable, yet pan-regional studies using comparable methodology have been lacking in the past. Susceptibility test results from invasive isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium and faecalis routinely recovered from clinical samples of blood and cerebrospinal fluid within participating laboratories situated in Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey were collected as part of the ARMed project. Preliminary data from the first two years of the project showed the prevalence of penicillin non-susceptibility in S.

Antibiotic resistance in the southeastern Mediterranean - preliminary results from the ARMed project.

Sporadic reports from centres in the south and east of the Mediterranean have suggested that the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in this region appears to be considerable, yet pan-regional studies using comparable methodology have been lacking in the past. Susceptibility test results from invasive isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium and faecalis routinely recovered from clinical samples of blood and cerebrospinal fluid within participating laboratories situated in Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey were collected as part of the ARMed project. Preliminary data from the first two years of the project showed the prevalence of penicillin non-susceptibility in S.

Colistin and rifampicin in the treatment of nosocomial infections from multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Introduction: The increased incidence of nosocomial infections by multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii creates demand on the application of some combinations of older antimicrobials on that species. We conducted the present observational study to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous and aerosolized colistin combined with rifampicin in the treatment of critically patients with nosocomial infections caused by multiresistant A. baumannii.

[Use of multilocus sequence typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis for the study of serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis isolates from Casablanca (Morocco)].

A previous study showed that B:4:P1.15 was the most frequent phenotype of Neisseria meningitidis isolated in Casablanca (Morocco). To determine if there was an epidemic clone, MLST and PFGE were used to compare 13 B:4:P1.

IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from an area of Casablanca, Morocco.

Using IS6110 RFLP, 61 isolates recovered from new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) were compared from September to December 1999 in Casablanca, Morocco, a city with a high incidence of TB. The majority of the isolates (92%) harboured 6-14 copies of IS6110. The minimal fraction of patients in groups of recently acquired infection is 13.

[Germs that produce the extended spectrum betalactamases].

This retrospective study analyses an epidemic with germs ESBL that supervenes at the department of hematology and pediatric oncology in UHC Ibn Rochd of Casablanca. The responsible germ is the ESBL Escherichia coli. Six patients have been infected during the same period that 2 are female and 4 are male.

Molecular biology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae responsible for digestive tract colonization.

Twenty-nine extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae strains (14 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 10 Escherichia coli and five Citrobacter diversus) isolated from April to July 1996 from faecal carriers in a surgical intensive care unit at the university hospital of Casablanca (Morocco) were studied. Plasmid content and DNA macrorestriction polymorphism determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were used to compare the strains. Restriction profiles of total genomic DNAs cleaved by XbaI and compared by PFGE revealed nine, four and two clones in K.

Assessment of the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube for the bacteriological diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Fast, accurate diagnosis is necessary for rapid treatment of patients and to prevent the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. The rate of recovery, mean time to detection and contamination rates of the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) were compared with Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium for mycobacterial cultures performed on 405 clinical specimens decontaminated by the trisodium phosphate method without benzalkonium chloride. The recovery rate of M.

Are there regional variations in the diagnosis, surveillance, and control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

Objective: To assess the way healthcare facilities (HCFs) diagnose, survey, and control methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Design: Questionnaire.

Setting: Ninety HCFs in 30 countries.

Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in eight African hospitals and Malta.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious therapeutic problem worldwide, and its frequency in most African countries has not been reported. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of MRSA in eight large hospitals (>500 beds) in Africa and Malta, from 1996 to 1997. Susceptibility to methicillin (oxacillin) and to other drugs was determined by E test (AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden) on a total of 1440 clinical isolates of S.

Serogroups, serotypes, serosubtypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria meningitidis isolates in Casablanca, Morocco.

Since antigenic characterization and antibiotic susceptibility testing are useful for generating prophylactic recommendations and treatment guidelines, a total of 163 Neisseria meningitidis isolates obtained between January 1992 and September 2000 at the microbiology laboratory of the IbnRochd University Hospital of Casablanca, Morocco, were serogrouped, serotyped, serosubtyped and tested for their susceptibility to five antibiotics. Serogroup B was detected most frequently (75.5%), followed by serogroup A (13.

Plasmid-mediated TEM-3 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production in Salmonella typhimurium in Casablanca.

Isolates of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Salmonella typhimurium were recovered from children admitted to the IbnRochd University Hospital of Casablanca in 1994. These isolates produced TEM-3 as shown by PCR, isoelectric focusing and sequencing. Production of TEM-3 and resistance to gentamicin were encoded by a 10 kb plasmid that could be transferred by conjugation and transformation.

Prevalence and characteristics of nim genes encoding 5-nitroimidazole resistance among Bacteroides strains isolated in Morocco.

We report here an evaluation of the dissemination of nim genes, encoding 5-nitroimidazoles resistance, among Bacteroides clinical strains isolated in Morocco. This study was done using a PCR method. Among 60 strains studied, nine contain a copy of a nim gene.

Two-year surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae in four African cities.

Worldwide spread of antibiotic resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major problem. However, data from West and North African countries are scarce. To study the level of resistance and compare the situations in different cities, a prospective study was conducted in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Casablanca (Morocco), Dakar (Senegal), and Tunis (Tunisia), from 1996 to 1997.