Hospital-based Surveillance Provides Insights Into the Etiology of Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in the Post-Vaccine Era

Background: Meningitis is endemic to regions of Cameroon outside the meningitis belt including the capital city, Yaoundé. Through surveillance, we studied the etiology and molecular epidemiology of pediatric bacterial meningitis in Yaoundé from 2010 to 2016. / Methods: Lumbar puncture was performed on 5958 suspected meningitis cases; 765 specimens were further tested by culture, latex agglutination, and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serotyping/grouping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and/or whole genome sequencing were performed where applicable. / Results: The leading pathogens detected among the 126 confirmed cases were Streptococcus pneumoniae (93 [73.8%]), Haemophilus influenzae (18 [14.3%]), and Neisseria meningitidis (15 [11.9%]). We identified more vaccine serotypes (19 [61%]) than nonvaccine serotypes (12 [39%]); however, in the latter years non–pneumococcal conjugate vaccine serotypes were more common. Whole genome data on 29 S. pneumoniae isolates identified related strains (<30 single-nucleotide polymorphism difference). All but 1 of the genomes harbored a resistance genotype to at least 1 antibiotic, and vaccine serotypes harbored more resistance genes than nonvaccine serotypes (P < .05). Of 9 cases of H. influenzae, 8 were type b (Hib) and 1 was type f. However, the cases of Hib were either in unvaccinated individuals or children who had not yet received all 3 doses. We were unable to serogroup the N. meningitidis cases by PCR. / Conclusions: Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a leading cause of pediatric bacterial meningitis, and nonvaccine serotypes may play a bigger role in disease etiology in the postvaccine era. There is evidence of Hib disease among children in Cameroon, which warrants further investigation

Assessment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm-forming capacities from drinking water in water vending machine

The establishment of P. aeruginosa with biofilm formation in water vending machines may cause serious health issues to the consumers and its emergence has led to the public’s concern. This study aimed to assess the quality of water vending machines and to evaluate the biological contaminant P. aeruginosa in biofilm capacities. The qualities of the drinking water from a total of fifteen (n = 15) water vending machines at Kota Samarahan were evaluated based on physical and chemical parameters including pH value, turbidity, total of carbon (TOC), total dissolved solid (TDS) and total suspended solid (TSS). The colonies Enterobacteriaceae has been morphology characterized through biochemical tests and P. aeruginosa bacteria was identify through the PCR method. The results of the physical and chemical parameters complies with the authority standard including turbidity values found in conformance with values were lower than 0.1 NTU. Morphological analysis with a total of 66.7% (n = 10) was detected with the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, and a total of 40% (n = 6) of the isolates were found to be P. aeruginosa. This study extended by assessing the potential strength of biofilm formation. The microtiter assay performed in a 96-well polystyrene microtiter plate showed that 83.33% (n = 5) of the bacterial isolates have moderate potential as biofilm producers, while only 16.67% (n = 1) isolates were non-adherent and showed no potential in producing biofilm. The highest OD isolates found occupying moderate biofilm strength was (mean = 0.217) and the lowest moderate biofilm strength was (mean = 0.136). In conclusion, the significance and impact of the study displayed the qualities of water vending machines complies with Food Act 1983, Regulation 360C and Malaysian Drinking Water Quality, Ministry of Health 1983. However, the presence of biological contaminants may raise consumer concerns. This study had successfully assessed the potential strength of P. aeruginosa biofilm collected from water vending machines. Further microbiological assessments should be perform continuously to predict and eliminate any future risks related to water vending machines

Haptic Sensation and Instrumental Transgression

Anyone who has ever played a musical instrument will certify the development of a particular type of relationship between the instrument and the performer. This relationship goes beyond a convenient coupling that is optimized for sound production. Every musical instrument defines ways in which to be touched, felt, activated. Music performance is dependent on bodily involvement that goes beyond the auditory and the sense of hearing. This article investigates the role of haptic sensation in the context of the performer–instrument relationship and draws on the writings of Georges Bataille to illuminate a discussion of the erotic in performance