Effectiveness of infection prevention and control interventions in health care facilities in Africa: A systematic review.

Background: Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are a major threat to patient safety and quality care. However, they are avoidable by implementing evidence-based infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. This review evaluated the evidence of the effectiveness of IPC interventions in reducing rates of HAIs in health care settings in Africa.

Amylase production from marine sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis; potentials sustainability benefits.

The marine sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis is a globally distributed and invasive species with extensive filter-feeding characteristics. The symbiotic relationship fostered between the sea sponge and the inhabiting microorganism is key in the production of metabolic enzymes which is the focus of this study. Sponge bacterial symbionts were grown on starch agar for 48hrs.

Systematic review of surveillance systems for AMR in Africa.

Aims: Surveillance is a useful tool for tracking antimicrobial resistance (AMR) trends, patterns, therapeutic and policy interventions. Proper correlation of surveillance data gives meaningful insight into the underlying epidemiology and facilitates development of rational interventions. This comprehensive review aims to identify, classify and assess gaps in Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) reporting and national action plan (NAP) implementation in Africa.

Prevalence, distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates from a tertiary Hospital in Malawi.

Background: Bacterial infections are a significant cause of sickness and death in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at establishing the prevalence, distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of major bacterial isolates from patients accessing medical care at a tertiary hospital in Malawi.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed bacteria culture and antimicrobial susceptibility records for 4617 patients from 2002 to 2014 at Mzuzu Central Hospital (MCH).

Investigation of the Antifungal and Anti-Aflatoxigenic Potential of Plant-Based Essential Oils against in Peanuts.

species are known to cause damage to food crops and are associated with opportunistic infections in humans. In the United States, significant losses have been reported in peanut production due to contamination caused by the species. This study evaluated the antifungal effect and anti-aflatoxin activity of selected plant-based essential oils (EOs) against in contaminated peanuts, Tifguard, runner type variety.

In vitro antifungal activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark and leaf essential oils against Candida albicans and Candida auris.

Candida infections are a significant source of patient morbidity and mortality. Candida albicans is the most common pathogen causing Candida infections. Candida auris is a newly described pathogen that is associated with multi-drug-resistant candidiasis and candidaemia in humans.

Herbal Teas and their Health Benefits: A Scoping Review.

Herbal teas are used as therapeutic vehicles in many forms of traditional medicine and are a popular global beverage. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the evidence relating to the clinical efficacy and safety of herbal teas, and to identify the main research themes and gaps in knowledge to inform further work. A scoping review methodology was followed that set out the research question and described the sourcing, selection and analysis of studies.

The 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic: evaluating communication strategies between two affected countries in West Africa.

Background: Ebola is a haemorrhagic disease with high fatality rates between 25 and 90%. The 2013-16 Ebola outbreak in West Africa was the largest to date with >28 000 cases and >11 000 fatalities. This outbreak exposed inadequacies in public health agencies and has spurred health officials to re-evaluate the way Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemics are co-ordinated and communicated.

Fungal wars: The underlying molecular repertoires of combating mycelia.

Non-self contact between fungi elicits strong morphological and biochemical reactions in the mycelia of interacting species. Although these reactions appear to be species- and interaction-specific, some responses such as pigmentation, increased secretion of phenol-oxidases, barrage formation and sealing of the mycelia front are common responses in most interactions. Hence, some species recruit similar molecular machineries in response to non-self.

Antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity and chemical analysis of lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and pure citral.

The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial effects of lemongrass essential oil (C. flexuosus) and to determine cytotoxic effects of both test compounds on human dermal fibroblasts. Antimicrobial susceptibility screening was carried out using the disk diffusion method.

Evaluation of Liquid-Based Swab Transport Systems against the New Approved CLSI M40-A2 Standard.

Following revised information pertaining to newer swab types and testing protocols in the new CLSI M40-A2 standard, we evaluated three liquid swab transport systems for the recovery of aerobic, anaerobic, and fastidious organisms at room temperature and at 4°C. All tested liquid swab transport systems were fully compliant with the M40-A2 standard, with acceptable performance at both temperatures after the full specified holding period, using both qualitative (roll-plate) and quantitative (swab elution) methods.

A comparison of the sensitivity of four Staphylococcus aureus isolates to two chlorine-based disinfectants and an eco-friendly commercially available cleaning agent.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of household bleach, a sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC)-based disinfectant and an eco-friendly cleaning agent (EFCA) on four Staphylococcus aureus strains, including two isolated from community infections. The products were assessed using the suspension (EN 1276) and surface (EN 13697) tests, while biofilm activity was determined using the 96-well plate method. Bleach and NaDCC caused > 5 log reduction in viable counts within 5 min in suspension, whilst on surfaces the reduction was < 3 log.