Tuberculosis Burden in Lebanon : Evolution and Current Status

Araj, George F.; Saadé, Antoine; Itani, Leila; Avedissian, Aline Z

doi:10.12816/0023824

Cited by 19 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Although Lebanon is considered to have low endemicity with low prevalence of HBV (1.74%) and HCV (0.21%) infections [35, 36], an increasing rate of other infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS [37] is being observed in the Middle East and North African regions and is likely to affect Lebanon [38] due to the influx of nonnationals and refugees.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infection Control Measures in Private Dental Clinics in Lebanon

Dagher

Sfeir

Abdallah

et al. 2017

International Journal of Dentistry

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Purpose Evaluate infection control knowledge, attitude, and practice in Lebanese private dental clinics. Materials and Methods A survey including 46 questions related to routine safety procedures was sent to 1150 Lebanese dentists between July 1st and 2nd, 2015. The study sample was selected from the database of registered dentists based on a proportional random sampling ensuring equitable representation of the 5 geographic regions of Lebanon. A subset of 29 questions was used to generate an overall score of compliance (excellent, good, fair, and poor). Comparisons according to gender, type, region, and years of practice were performed. Results 417 dentists returned the completed questionnaires. 96% expressed concern about infection transmission, 90.6% were vaccinated against Hepatitis B, and 61.8% asked routinely about patients medical history. Only 43% used protective eyewear. Although most dentists (65%) used autoclaves, dry heat was still used. Significant correlations were found between gender and use of personal protective equipment. Less compliance was shown by clinicians with fewer years of experience. In the overall compliance questionnaire, the mean percentage of correct answers was roughly 54% with <5% of the practitioners scoring “excellent.” Conclusions. The study found inadequacy of compliance in private Lebanese dental clinics necessitating improved educational training and sustained monitoring by regulatory bodies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infection Control Measures in Private Dental Clinics in Lebanon

Dagher

Sfeir

Abdallah

et al. 2017

International Journal of Dentistry

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“…This species has been associated with humid weather and water niches, as reported for Cuba, Arizona, Texas, Iran, Gaza and Israel [13]. The humid weather in Lebanon, a Mediterranean costal country, may also explain the high prevalence of M. simiae in this area of the world [13,14]. Few other countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region reported on the recovery of this species, albeit with lower rates such as Oman (8%) and Turkey (2.1%) [8].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…Similarly, our study revealed increasing recovery rates of M. simiae, with time: 51% in 2003-2007 to 68% in 2013-2017. This species has been associated with humid weather and water niches, as reported for Cuba, Arizona, Texas, Iran, Gaza and Israel [13]. The humid weather in Lebanon, a Mediterranean costal country, may also explain the high prevalence of M. simiae in this area of the world [13,14].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…Processing of specimens for mycobacterial culture was done according to their source: sterile specimens were directly processed, whereas non-sterile ones underwent a digestion-decontamination procedure. The processed specimens were inoculated into both a Middlebrook 7H9 broth (Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube-MGIT) and a solid based medium (Lowenstein-Jensen), as reported previously [13]. The recovered isolates were identified using MGIT TBc identification test (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, USA) which differentiates Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from NTM.…”

Section: Culture and Identification Of Mycobacterial Isolatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Lebanon, a couple of published articles addressed NTM, mostly as case reports [9][10][11][12][13][14] but none has comprehensively revealed the present species nor their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles. Besides, the recovery of NTMs has been increasing, with rates reaching 55 to 67% among isolated mycobacteria, as noted for instance in our medical center over the last five years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Non-tuberculous mycobacteria profiles and their anti-mycobacterial resistance at a major medical center in Lebanon

Araj

Baba

Itani

et al. 2019

J Infect Dev Ctries

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Introduction: Infection with non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) has been on the rise globally causing a wide spectrum of respiratory and extrapulmonary infections in humans. Studies on these pathogens from the Middle-East including Lebanon are scarce. Methodology: This retrospective study addresses the approach used for investigation, speciation and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of recovered NTM isolates from respiratory sources at a major tertiary care center in Lebanon during two periods (2003-2007 and 2013-2017). Processing of specimens, culture and differentiation of recovered NTM isolates from Mycobacterium tuberculosis were done in-house according to standard procedures. Upon request, speciation and AMR testing were performed using molecular and broth dilution methods, respectively, at Mayo Medical Laboratories (Rochester, Minnesota, USA). Results: Among 108 NTM analyzed isolates, 8 species were revealed during the two periods: M. simiae (51% vs 61%), M. avium complex (MAC) (6 % vs 12%) M. fortuitum (12% vs 5%), M. gordonae (6% vs 5%), M. abscessus (6% vs 7%), M. immunogenum (12% vs 0%), M. szulgai (4% vs 0%) and M. peregrinum (0% vs 2%). M. simiae isolates showed high susceptibility (93%-96%) to amikacin and clarithromycin, but high resistance to rifampin, ethambutol, ciprofloxacin, rifabutin, linezolid, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and moxifloxacin. MAC isolates were only susceptible to clarithromycin (86%). M. abscessus isolates were uniformly susceptible to amikacin (100%). Conclusion: The revelaed different NTM species, with predominance of M.simiae and various AMR profiles provide a current epidemiologic database and help guiding the selection of appropriate empirical therapy once the clinical relevance is established.

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