Consecutive Evaluation of Systematic Community-Based COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Testing in Three Different Populations in Jamaica during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The rise in COVID-19 cases in late 2021 posed a grave threat to the public health system and the economy of Jamaica. A key pillar of controlling COVID-19 includes rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals and their contacts. Hence, we evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of weekly deployment of antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) by conducting three 6-week studies within high-risk populations in Jamaica.

Clonal Complexes Distribution of Isolates from Clinical Samples from the Caribbean Islands.

The aim of this study was to comprehensively characterise from the Caribbean Islands of Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica. A total of 101 / isolates were collected in 2020, mainly from patients with skin and soft tissue infections. They were characterised by DNA microarray allowing the detection of ca.

New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase (NDM)-5 in Uropathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Jamaica.

We have investigated the prevalence of carbapenemase-producing uropathogens at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica. From 64 unique urine samples collected between January and March 2020, only 2 closely related Klebsiella pneumoniae (ST11, 14 SNPs of difference; no clear epidemiological links found between patients) were carbapenemase-producers. By whole-genome sequencing (WGS), was found on ~46 kb, IncX3 plasmid.

Prevalence and distribution of ampc beta-lactamase producing and isolates obtained from urine samples at a tertiary care hospital in the caribbean.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and distribution of AmpC beta-lactamases (BLs) in uropathogens ( and ) at the University Hospital of the West Indies Jamaica (UHWI).

Method: De-duplicated consecutive urine samples, collected from January to March 2020 at the UHWI, were analyzed. Screening and phenotypic confirmatory tests were conducted using resistance to cefoxitin and the Disc Approximation Test (DAT) respectively, for isolates of interest.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates and syndromic treatment of men with urethral discharge in Kingston, Jamaica, 2018-19.

Objectives: To quantitatively determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from men with urethral discharge in Jamaica and to describe the syndromic treatment therapies administered.

Methods: Urethral eSwabs (Copan) were collected from 175 men presenting with urethral discharge to the Comprehensive Health Centre STI Clinic, Kingston, Jamaica. Clinical information was collected and MICs of eight antimicrobials were determined for N.

Molecular epidemiology of human papillomavirus genotypes in oral rinses from HIV-positive and HIV-negative Jamaican patients.

Aim: Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been reported to be associated with oral and oropharyngeal cancer. However, little information is available about the epidemiology of oral HPV infection in Jamaica. The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence of oral HPV strains using the oral rinse method in HIV and non-HIV Jamaican patients, as well as to determine the association of HPV with sexual practices, smoking, and alcohol use.

Correction to: The knowledge, attitudes and practices of doctors regarding antibiotic resistance at a tertiary care institution in the Caribbean.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13756-018-0315-3.].

A national survey of the knowledge, attitudes and prescribing practices of doctors regarding antibiotic resistance in a Caribbean country.

Background: Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a serious threat that requires coordinated global intervention to prevent its spread. There is limited data from the English-speaking Caribbean.

Methods: As part of a national programme to address antibiotic resistance in Jamaica, a survey of the knowledge, attitudes and antibiotic prescribing practices of Jamaican physicians was conducted using a 32-item self-administered questionnaire.

Oral Bacterial Infections: Diagnosis and Management.

The human oral cavity contains more than 500 different bacterial species. These organisms belong to several phyla including Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Tenericutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Euryarchaeota, Chlamydiae, and Spirochaetes. Many of these have the ability to colonize the gingival crevices and the outer surface of the tooth forming biofilms often leading to dental plaque formation.

Hand hygiene compliance by health care workers at a teaching hospital, Kingston, Jamaica.

Introduction: Consistent practice of hand hygiene (HH) has been shown to reduce the incidence and spread of hospital acquired infections. The objectives of this study were to determine the level of compliance and possible factors affecting compliance with HH practices among HCWs at a teaching hospital in Kingston, Jamaica.

Methodology: A prospective observational study was undertaken at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) over a two weeks period.

New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase in Jamaica.

Introduction: The global dissemination of the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) gene among certain strains of bacteria has serious implications since the infections caused by such organisms pose a therapeutic challenge. Although the NDM gene has been detected in various parts of the world, this is the first report of its detection in the English-speaking Caribbean. The NDM producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from an Indian patient who had recently relocated to Jamaica.