Brucella species are highly monomorphic, with minimal genetic variation among species, hindering the development of reliable subtyping tools for epidemiologic and phylogenetic analyses. Our objective was to compare two distinct multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) subtyping methods on a collection of 101 Brucella melitensis isolates from sporadic human cases of brucellosis in Egypt (n ‫؍‬ 83), Qatar (n ‫؍‬ 17), and Libya (n ‫؍‬ 1). A gel-based MLVA technique, MLVA-15 IGM , was compared to an automated capillary electrophoresis-based method, MLVA-15 NAU , with each MLVA scheme examining a unique set of variable-number tandem repeats. Both the MLVA IGM and MLVA NAU methods were highly discriminatory, resolving 99 and 101 distinct genotypes, respectively, and were able to largely separate genotypes from Egypt and Qatar. The MLVA-15 NAU scheme presented higher strain-to-strain diversity in our test population than that observed with the MLVA-15 IGM assay. Both schemes were able to genetically correlate some strains originating from the same hospital or region within a country. In addition to comparing the genotyping abilities of these two schemes, we also compared the usability, limitations, and advantages of the two MLVA systems and their applications in the epidemiological genotyping of human B. melitensis strains.Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease causing infections in economically important livestock, such as cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs (22). In humans, this highly diverse illness, also known as Malta or undulant fever, initially presents as a fever, malaise, and myalgia and may later develop into a chronic illness affecting various organs and tissues (21,25). Brucellosis is usually transmitted to humans through consumption of contaminated and untreated milk products or by direct contact with infected animals. There are nine phenotypically recognized species in the Brucella genus: Brucella melitensis, B. abortus, B. suis, B. ovis, B. canis, and B. neotomae; two new marine species, B. ceti and B. pinnipedialis (11); and B. microti (27), isolated from the common vole. Each species has distinctive host preferences, pathogenicity, and epidemiology.Although some developed countries have eradicated B. abortus from cattle through vaccination campaigns, B. melitensis, B. abortus, and B. suis remain the principal causes of human brucellosis worldwide and are major public health problems, primarily in developing countries (7). Brucellosis is prevalent in the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and areas of Latin America where people are economically dependent on ruminant livestock (23,28). Over the past decade, the global epidemiology of human brucellosis has changed, due in part to the implementation of national and international surveillance programs, animal vaccination campaigns, and socioeconomic changes (22).Current microbiological (4) and low-resolution molecular typing methods are useful for identifying Brucella isolates and determining species and biovar designatio...

BackgroundMedical students can be exposed to serious health care-associated infections, if they are not following infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. There is limited information regarding the knowledge, awareness, and practices of medical students regarding IPC and the educational approaches used to teach them these practices.AimTo evaluate the knowledge, awareness, and attitude of medical students toward IPC guidelines, and the learning approaches to help improve their knowledge.MethodsA cross-sectional, interview-based survey included 73 medical students from Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar. Students completed a questionnaire concerning awareness, knowledge, and attitude regarding IPC practices. Students’ knowledge was assessed by their correct answers to the survey questions.FindingsA total of 48.44% of the respondents were aware of standard isolation precautions, 61.90% were satisfied with their training in IPC, 66.13% were exposed to hand hygiene training, while 85.48% had sufficient knowledge about hand hygiene and practiced it on a routine basis, but only 33.87% knew the duration of the hand hygiene procedure.ConclusionKnowledge, attitude, and awareness of IPC measures among Weill Cornell Medical Students in Qatar were found to be inadequate. Multifaceted training programs may have to target newly graduated medical practitioners or the training has to be included in the graduate medical curriculum to enable them to adopt and adhere to IPC guidelines.

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Incidence of CP remains low and, regardless of the subtype, clinical outcomes are better than those seen with other gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas. The presence of diarrhea at presentation and the finding of curved or spiral gram-negative bacilli in the Gram smear of peritoneal dialysis effluent should make one think of CP. The use of appropriate microbiology techniques in this situation will increase the isolation of this organism.

3d-IF impaired speed and power through a decrease in vertical stiffness during the initial runs of the 2nd set of RS. The findings of the current study confirmed the benefits of 3d-IF: improved HDL-C and TG profiles while maintaining total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Moreover, improving muscle power might be a key factor to retain a higher vertical stiffness and to partly counteract the negative effects of intermittent fasting.