In the global frame aiming at assessing bacterial susceptibility for safer and cost-effective healthcare, the present survey was conducted in three hospitals: Bafoussam Regional Hospital (BRH), Bangwa Protestant Hospital (BPH) and Bangangté District Hospital (BDH). Sampling was performed by fingerprinting on culture media and swabbing of hospital devices or surfaces. Wards of interest included: Pediatrics, Medicine, Operating Theater, Intensive Care Unit, Maternity, and, in the BDH, Laboratory in addition. Culture, isolation, identification and susceptibility tests were conducted according to standard guidelines and assigned contamination rates. Seventeen antibacterial agents were chosen and included representatives of major families of antibiotics used in Cameroon. Analysis of 238 specimens revealed 90%, 86% and 92% contamination rates in the BRH, BPH, and BDH, respectively. On healthcare provider's hands, the respective rates were 63%, 100% and 91%. Bacillus and Staphylococcus were predominant bacteria types in all settings (BPH: 92%; BDH: 86%; BRH: 81%). Susceptibility profiles indicated high resistance rates and clonal distribution in all settings; and most reduced susceptibility with common drugs. Further investigations and previous works alleged drug use and basic hygiene as crucial in addressing resistance issues for safer care. This would be achieved with State support to public and private institutions.

Providing everyone with safe drinking water is a moral imperative. Yet, sub-Saharan Africa seems unable to achieve “safe drinking water for all” by 2030. This sad situation calls for a closer examination of the water supply options for both rural and urban populations. Commonly, two main aspects are considered: (1) behavioural responses to available or potential water supply options, and (2) socio-economic acceptability. These aspects determine the feasibility and the affordability of bringing safe drinking water as a basic good and human right to everyone. There is a broad consensus that achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6.1 is mostly a financial issue, especially in low-income settings. This communication challenges this view as water is available everywhere and affordable treatment options are well-known. It considers the decentralized water supply model as a reference or standard approach in low-income settings rather than as an alternative. Here, the medium-sized city of Bangangté in the western region of Cameroon is used to demonstrate that universal safe drinking water will soon be possible. In fact, during the colonial period, the residences of the elite and the main institutions, including the administrative quarter, churches, and hospital, have been supplied with clean water from various local sources. All that is needed is to consider everyone as important or accept safe drinking water as human right. First, we present a historical background on water supply in the colonial period up to 1980. Second, the drinking water supply systems and water demand driven by population growth are discussed. Finally, a hybrid model for the achieving of universal access to clean drinking water, and preconditions for its successful implementation, are presented. Overall, this communication calls for a shift from safe drinking water supply approaches dominated by centralized systems, and presents a transferable hybrid model to achieve universal clean drinking water.

The ocular flora can be a contributing factor to potentially devastating eye infections, especially under certain conditions such as diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of diabetes on the bacterial conjunctival flora and to assess its susceptibility to antibiotics. In an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in three hospitals in the department of Ndé-Cameroon, we included diabetic and non-diabetic participants. Samples were obtained by swabbing the lower conjunctival fornix. Gram stain and culture were performed and antibiotic sensitivity determined in case of bacterial growth. A positive culture was found in 33/40 (82.5%) diabetic participants and 16/40 (40%) non-diabetic participants. Diabetic participants showed a more frequent positive flora for Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while the majority of non-diabetic patient's flora were Bacillus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. In diabetics, resistance of Staphyloccocus Coagulase-negative strains was observed in 80-100% of cases for Oxacillin and Trimethoprin-Sulfamethoxy. For Gram-negative strains, resistance was 80-100% for Penicillin, Oxacillin and Cefixime in diabetics. A positive culture was more frequently found in diabetic participants with a difference for the composition and antibiotic susceptibility compared to healthy people. This information may provide a better guideline for the prevention and the management of ocular diseases.

Background Commensal flora colonization during hospitalization by bacteria is the first step for nosocomial infections while antibiotic resistance reduces therapeutic options. In aim to control this phenomenon, we initiated this study to describe the impact of hospitalization on colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the surgical department of 03 health facilities in the Ndé division, West-Cameroon. Methods This study was carried out on patients admitted for surgery in 03 health facilities of the Ndé division, West-Cameroon (District Hospital of Bangangté, Protestant Hospital of Bangwa and Cliniques Universitaires des Montagnes). After obtaining ethical clearance and authorizations, nasal swabs were performed at admission and discharge, with the aim of isolating bacteria and performing their antibiotic susceptibility tests. Informations on each participant's antibiotic therapy were recorded. Laboratory investigations were carried out according to standard protocols (CASFM, 2019). Results The most commonly used antibiotics were β-lactams. A total of 104 nasal swabs were performed on 52 patients who agreed to participate to the study. From the analysis, 110 (57 at admission versus 53 at discharge) Staphylococcus isolates were obtained. Overall, susceptibility testing showed that antibiotic resistance rates were higher at discharge than at admission; with significant differences between the susceptibility profiles obtained at admission and discharge for β-lactams and not significant for fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. Globally, frequency of nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at discharge 16 (30.77%) was significantly higher than at admission 07 (13.46%) with Chi-2 = 4.52 and p = 0.0335. Conclusion The high rates of antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated at discharge compared to those isolated at admission obtained in the present investigation, highlights the important role that hospitalization plays in the selection and dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and colonization by these bacteria in health structures of Ndé division. As a result, further investigations to find the factors that promote this phenomenon should be carried out.

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