Invasive Pneumococcal Infections Among Moroccan Children: Pneumococcal Vaccination Challenges in the Mature Vaccine Era.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae, a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affects children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Despite vaccination efforts, the challenge of serotype replacement highlights the ongoing struggle against invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) in Morocco, emphasizing the need for updated public health strategies and vaccine efficacy assessments.

Methods: This study was conducted at the Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center and the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center from 2019 to 2022, focusing on hospitalized children.

with decreased susceptibility to penicillin G and molecular characterization of the penA gene in strains isolated at University Hospital Centers of Casablanca and Marrakech (Morocco).

Introduction: the laboratory diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis relies on conventional techniques. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between the reduced sensitivity to penicillin G of Neisseria meningitidis (N.m) strains and the expression of the altered PBP 2 gene.

Microbiological quality of gluten-free meals, naturally gluten free foods, and gluten free-labelled products.

Background: The rising prevalence of gluten-related disorders such as celiac disease explains the increased consumption of gluten-free foods (GFF). However, these foods must be safe in terms of both gluten content and contamination by pathogenic microorganisms in order to avoid food poisoning.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the microbiological quality of gluten-free meals, naturally gluten free foods, and gluten free-labelled products.

The HeRO score: Enhancing prognosis and predicting nosocomial infections in newborns: Insights from the neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: Nosocomial infections pose a significant health risk to neonates, and traditional biomarkers used for diagnosis often fall short in predicting such infections. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of the HeRO (Heart Rate Observation score), a novel predictive tool for late-onset neonatal sepsis, in improving neonatal prognosis and reducing morbidity and mortality rates.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted from September 2020 to May 2021, reviewing patient evaluation for all neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit during this period after the implementation of the HeRO score.

Microbiological profile of multidrug resistant bacteria before and during COVID-19 in CHU Mohammed VI.

Background And Objectives: A new type of corona virus has caused Corona virus disease-19 and, subsequently, a global pandemic. All individuals are prone to the disease, so drastic measures were taken to prevent its spread. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the progression of the antimicrobial resistance rate by comparing two periods: before and during COVID-19.

Prevalence, antibiotic resistance profile, MBLs encoding genes, and biofilm formation among clinical carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales isolated from patients in Mohammed VI University Hospital Centre, Morocco.

Enterobacterales are frequently a major cause of human infections. The emergence of carbapenem resistance as well as the biofilm formation complicate their management. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence, antibiogram, carbapenemase genes, and biofilm production among Enterobacterales.

Pleuropulmonary nocardiosis, an unusual radiological presentation: Case report.

Nocardiosis is caused by strict aerobic filamentous bacteria of the genus Nocardia belonging to the order Actinomycetales with Actinomyces, Streptomyces and Mycobacterium. The radio-clinical presentation in the chest is often misleading. We report a case of pulmonary nocardiosis with an unusual radiological presentation.

Modulation of Gut Microbiome in Ecstasy/MDMA-Induced Behavioral and Biochemical Impairment in Rats and Potential of Post-Treatment with L. Aqueous Extract to Mitigate Adverse Effects.

The use of illicit substances continues to pose a substantial threat to global health, affecting millions of individuals annually. Evidence suggests the existence of a 'brain-gut axis' as the involving connection between the central nervous system and gut microbiome (GM). Dysbiosis of the GM has been associated with the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases, including metabolic, malignant, and inflammatory conditions.

Evaluation PCR panel of the FilmArray® pneumonia plus for pathogen detection of ventilator-associated pneumonia in children and its impact on therapeutic management.

Background And Objectives: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the second most common nosocomial infection in pediatric intensive care units. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of multiplex PCR in the diagnosis of VAP and its impact on the clinical and prognostic outcome of children in the ICU.

Materials And Methods: This is a prospective observational study from March to November 2021, including bronchial samples collected from 38 intubated children hospitalized in ICU.

OXA-48 Carbapenemase-Producing Salmonella typhimurium Nosocomial Bacteremia in the Intensive Care Unit: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

is a gram-negative bacterium mainly involved in foodborne diseases. Several pathways of antimicrobial resistance have been recently identified in this strain. This article reports a case of a patient hospitalized in intensive care who underwent emergency trauma surgery.

Multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales responsible for septicaemia in a neonatal intensive care unit in Morocco.

Objectives: Neonatal sepsis caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has a high morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Here, the molecular mechanisms of multidrug resistance in bacteria responsible for neonatal sepsis were determined.

Methods: From July to December 2019, documented bacteraemia from 524 neonates hospitalised in a neonatal intensive care unit in Morocco were collected.

The Contribution of Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction in the Diagnosis of Central Nervous System Infections in Intensive Care Units.

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution and limits of BioFire® FilmArray® meningitis/encephalitis panel (FA MEP) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (bioMérieux, Marcy-l'Étoile, France) (product references: LLC RFIT-ASY-0118) coupled with bacterial and fungal culture in the diagnosis of central nervous system infections (CNSIs). Methods This was a retrospective observational study including all patients (adults and children) hospitalized in the intensive care units (ICUs) of a Moroccan university hospital, who benefited from multiplex PCR on a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample. Results A total of 112 PCRs were performed, with a positivity rate of 18%.

Chronic exposure to metam sodium-based pesticide in mice during adulthood elevated anxiety and depression-like behaviors: Involvement of serotoninergic depletion and gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Metam sodium-based pesticide (MS-BP) is widely used in agriculture and public health. We have previously demonstrated that maternal exposure to MS-BP resulted in sensorimotor alterations in mice offspring with long-lasting deficits including anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Here, we project to verify whether these two neurobehavioral effects occur during adulthood following direct exposure to MS-BP and whether it results in changes in the serotoninergic system and gut microbiota.

Changes in the Epidemiology of Respiratory Pathogens in Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant decrease in non-COVID-19 respiratory illnesses were observed, suggesting that the implementation of measures against COVID-19 affected the transmission of other respiratory pathogens. The aim of this study was to highlight the changes in the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. All children with Severe Acute respiratory illness admitted to the pediatric departments between January 2018 and December 2021 with negative COVID-19 PCR, were enrolled.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in vaccinated healthcare workers in Marrakech (Morocco).

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had a considerable impact, causing millions of deaths worldwide, including many healthcare workers (HCWs). The pharmaceutical industry has been working diligently since the start of the pandemic to develop various vaccines to fight the spread of the virus and protect the population.

Objective: To study the seroprevalence of neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in vaccinated HCWs at the Mohamed VI University Hospital in Marrakech and to determine the parameters that can influence immune response.

Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Blood Culture Samples in a Moroccan Tertiary Hospital: True Bacteremia or Contamination?

Purpose: To demonstrate the relevance of clinico-biological correlation in the interpretation of positive blood cultures (BC) for multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, among adult and pediatric patients, in order to distinguish between true bacteremia (TB) and contaminations and to evaluate the impact on patient management.

Patients And Methods: This six-month study was conducted at Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech. All MDR bacteria isolated from BCs carried out on hospitalized patients during this period were included.

Microbial Resistance to Carbapenems in Effluents from Gynaecological, Paediatric and Surgical Hospital Units.

The aim of this work is to identify and count antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in hospital effluents (HEs) of 2 units of the University Hospital Mohamed VI the Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) and the Ar-razi Surgical Hospital (ArzH), and to compare the two hospital units in terms of ARMs and seasonal variation. Each HE was sampled during 2016 and 2017. After identification of the pathogenic strains and determination of AMR, the results were reported for 24 ABs, including 3 carbapenems (CBP), and their consumption rates.

A young child with acute perforated appendicitis due to : a rare case report.

Comamonas species are rarely associated with human infections. Recent reports found that Comamonas kerstersii was associated with severe diseases such as abdominal infection and bacteremia. However, Comamonas kerstersii may be confused with Comamonas testosteroni using the automatic bacterial identification systems currently available.

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacilli collected in Morocco by the ATLAS Global Surveillance Program from 2018 to 2020.

Objectives: To report reference method antimicrobial susceptibility testing results for recent clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacilli from Morocco.

Methods: CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) broth microdilution antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by a central laboratory for isolates of Enterobacterales (n = 810), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 321), and Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 191) collected in 2018-2020 by three hospital laboratories in Morocco. MICs were interpreted using both CLSI (2021) and EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) (2021) breakpoints.

Epidemiology of Respiratory Pathogens in Children with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection and Impact of the Multiplex PCR Film Array Respiratory Panel: A 2-Year Study.

Sever acute respiratory infections (SARIs) are a public health issue that are common in children and are associated with an important morbidity and mortality rate worldwide. Although SARI are mainly caused by viruses, they are still a cause of antibiotic overuse. The use of molecular methods especially real-time multiplex PCR allowed to detect a wide range of respiratory viruses and their subtype as well as some atypical bacteria.

Varicella Zoster Virus Meningitis with Absence of Rash in an Immunocompetent Child.

Only a few cases in the literature have ever reported the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) in children especially in the case of immunocompetent patients. It is an uncommon situation that may lead to several neurological complications. We report varicella zoster virus (VZV) meningitis in a 14-year-old healthy boy with no antecedent of rash.

The first description of liver abscesses due to Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica in an African HIV-infected young woman: case report and review of the literature.

Salmonella is Gram-negative bacilli that cause a foodborne infections. When the disease occurs in patients living with HIV (PLWHA), salmonellosis is an AIDS defining illness. Here we describe the case of a 26-year-old HIV-infected female patient who was hospitalized for pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, and whose explorations revealed a liver abscess due to salmonella enterica enterica that progressed well after needle aspiration and antibiotic treatment.

Dissemination of Carbapenemases (OXA-48, NDM and VIM) Producing Isolated from the Mohamed VI University Hospital in Marrakech, Morocco.

The emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant (CRE) represent a major clinical problem and raise serious health concerns. The present study aimed to investigate and ascertain the occurrence of CRE among hospitalized patients of Mohamed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco. Biological samples were collected over a one-year period (2018).

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women of the Marrakech-Safi region, Morocco.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by an intracellular protozoan named Its prevalence had been investigated in several studies throughout the world showing that it varied from one country to another. In contrast, few studies had been carried out on this infection across the kingdom of Morocco, hence the objective of this work, which is the determination of seroprevalence in the region of Marrakech-Safi.

Methods: The serological results of a cohort of 5692 patients were reviewed retrospectively.