BackgroundMethicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) constitutes a major global health concern causing hospital and community acquired infections. A wide diversity of MRSA genotypes are circulating in geographically related regions. Therefore understanding the molecular epidemiology of MRSA is fundamental to design control and clearance measures.MethodsA total of 106 MRSA isolates from infection (51) and carrier colonization sites (55) are characterized genetically based on SCCmec and MLST genotyping methods in addition to detection of PVL, TSST-1 and enterotoxins.ResultsSccmec-IV was the most frequently detected genotype (77.3%) followed by genotype V (13.2%) and III (9.4%). SCCmec-IVa was more prevalent among the carrier group (p value 0.002). CC80 was the most commonly identified clonal complex (CC). CC6 and CC22 were significantly more prevalent among the carrier group (p value 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). PVL was highly prevalent among the isolates (58.5%). PVL was detected in 70.6% of isolates from infection sites and 47.3% of isolates from carriers. All strains were sensitive to vancomycin, however, MRSA strains isolated from infection sites had significantly higher MICs compared to strains isolated from carrier colonization sites (p value 0.021). Five new sequence types mainly from the carrier group were identified and described in the study.ConclusionsMRSA population is genetically very diverse among carriers and infected individuals. With SCCmec type IV being most prevalent, this suggests a community origin of most MRSA strains. Therefore very well designed surveillance and clearance strategies should be prepared to prevent emergence and control spread of MRSA in the community.

Bacterial community diversity of bulk water and corresponding biofilms of four intensive care units' (ICUs) drinking water systems were studied and compared using 16S rRNA gene amplicons and next generation sequencing. Proteobacteria, mainly Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria were dominant in the bulk water and biofilms. Principal component analysis showed different bacterial communities characterizing each of the bulk water and the biofilms in three of the studied ICUs. Taxonomic classification and comparison of different genera between samples highlighted the dominance of Aquabacterium (80%) and Novosphingobium (72%) in bulk water while biofilms harbored different bacteria affiliated to Pelomonas (97%) and Caulobacter (96%), Porphyrobacter (78%) and Staphylococcus (74%). Staphylococcus aureus was the only possible pathogen found with low percentage (2.32%) in three of the ICUs' biofilm and only in one of the ICU's bulk water. This study sheds light on the prevalence of unculturable bacterial flora in the biofilm ignored by the microbiological standard methods. This study was performed on tap and bulk water from ICUs; however, it indicates the need for further studies to investigate the function and activity of the microbial diversity in order to assess the real risk presented by this water microflora on patients' health.

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Background: Folic acid (FA) is a B-complex vitamin that has a vital role for pregnant women and the fetus in the development of the skull and central nerve system. The present study aims to assess the level of knowledge about folic supplements among Females during the Childbearing Period in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A qualitative cross-sectional based on 385 participants aged 18 to 45 females was conducted between 1 January 2021 and 29 August 2021. An online electronic survey employed using social media in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia for this study. Result: The present study found that 10.9% of participants had good knowledge of folic acid, and 89.1% had poor knowledge. Most of the participants (96.1%) heard about folic acid. Among them, 36.1% knew that folic acid is vitamin B. Only 75 (19.5%) females reported getting the proper daily amount of folic acid (400 mg/day), and 216 (56.1%) knew that folic acid should be given before and during the first trimester of pregnancy. Regarding the effects of folic acid deficiency, 51.2% of females reported folic acid deficiency anemia. Only 22.1% of females said they had heard of neural tube defects. Conclusion: The current study concluded that the the female population's knowledge regarding folic acid to be poor. Authors suggest using social media and awareness campaigns to improve the understanding and knowledge of folic acid among Saudi female people.