Objective. To determine the prevalence of metallo beta-lactamases (MBL) among carbapenem resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii in our hospital. Methodology. During a period of 12 months (January-December 2010), 47 isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii were collected from different clinical specimens of in-patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined and interpreted using the disk diffusion method according to the Antibiogram Committee of the French Society for Microbiology guidelines. Imipenem nonsusceptible isolates were further screened for production of MBL. Results. All Acinetobacter baumannii' isolates were resistant to ticarcillin, ticarcilline/clavulanate, piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, gentamicin, tobramycin, and cipro�oxacin, except an isolate that was sensitive to ceazidime and cefepime. In addition to that, amikacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were, respectively, sensitive by 59.5% and 53%. Among 57,4% (27/47) imipenem non-susceptible isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii, 74% (20/27) were found to be MBL producers. Conclusion. Although the rate of imipenem nonsusceptible isolates of Acinetobacter baumanni seems to remain stable in 2005 (57%) and 2010 (57,5%), the prevalence of MBL producer strain is increasing (38% in 2005 versus 75% in 2010). e �ndings strongly suggest that there is a need to track the detection of MBL producers; moreover, a judicious use of carbapenems is necessary to prevent further spread of these organisms.

Purpose: Despite the use of antiviral prophylaxis with valacyclovir, cytomegalovirus infection (CMV) can still occur in seropositive kidney transplant recipients. In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence of CMV DNAemia and its risk factors in Moroccan transplant recipients. Patients and Methods: Sixty kidney recipients with positive cytomegalovirus serostatus, receiving post-transplant prophylaxis were enrolled between 2013 and 2017. In total, 455 plasma samples were collected and tested for CMV DNAemia using PCR-based Abbott RealTime assays. Results: The incidence of CMV infection in seropositive patients was 63%. In patients with quantifiable DNAemia, the duration of CMV infection was significantly shorter than in those with detectable DNAemia (141.5 ± 96.9 vs 294.1 ± 112.6 days, P < 0.001). During prophylactic treatment, 14 of 30 patients (47.0%) experienced active replication with quantifiable DNAemia, whereas none of eight patients with detectable DNAemia did (P = 0.017). Patients with symptomatic DNAemia were significantly younger than those without symptoms (28.8 ± 5.12 vs 38.1 ± 12.34 years, P = 0.007). The peak viral loads were significantly associated with viral disease (odds ratio: 3.39, 95% confidence interval: 1.21-9.53, P = 0.02). The duration of DNAemia (21.2 vs 13.4 days, P = 0.028) was significantly longer in symptomatic patients. Significantly higher rates of acute rejection were exclusively observed in recipients with disease (4/8, 50% vs 0/22, 0%, P = 0.003). Conclusion:Patients with high-level DNAemia were at an increased risk of progression to disease and acute rejection. Monitoring the viral load during the first year posttransplantation is essential, to support current preventive strategies.

Here, we report the near-complete genome sequence and the genetic variations of a clinical sample of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) harboring the N501Y mutation assigned to the B.1.1.7 lineage. The sample was collected from a nasopharyngeal swab of a female patient from Temara, Morocco, and the sequencing was done using Ion S5 technology.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Viral hepatitis B is a global scourge affecting millions of people worldwide. In Morocco, hepatitis B is considered a public health problem, and available data converge to consider Morocco as a country with intermediate endemicity. In the present study, we have planned to evaluate the HBV prevalence in Morocco on a large scale and to assess the prevalence of different serological markers for better management of this infection in Morocco. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This study was conducted on 18,877 patients referring to the Ibn Sina University Hospital Center of Rabat, Morocco. HBV serological markers including HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and total HBcAb were assessed by immune-enzymatic assays. The quantification of HBV DNA was performed by real-time PCR. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The overall prevalence of positive cases for HBsAg, HBsAb, and total HBcAb was 2.47%, 27.66%, and 21.2%, respectively. From 141 patients with an isolated HBcAb serological profile (HBcAb+/HBsAb−/HBsAg−), HBV DNA was detected in 10 patients, representing a rate of 7.09%. In the present study, up to 95.78% of HBV chronic carriers were negative for HBeAg. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This study highlights a higher prevalence of HBsAg in the hospital-based population than the general population reported previously in Morocco and a very low HBV immunization coverage. Of particular interest, detectable HBV DNA levels in isolated HBcAb patients show that exclusive HBsAg screening cannot eliminate the risk of HBV transmission in certain cases. Many efforts are then mandatory to promote serological testing and increase the vaccination rate to limit viral dissemination for better management of this disease in Morocco.