Emergence and Genomic Characterization of a <i>spa</i> Type t4407 ST6-SCC<i>mec</i> Type IVa Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Strain Isolated from Al-Karak Hospital, Jordan

Background and Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major concern in Jordanian hospitals in terms of infection control. The purpose of this study was to identify the resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from surfaces of critical locations within the Al-Karak Governmental Hospital in 2019. Additionally, the study aimed to conduct whole-genome sequencing on the isolates. Materials and Methods: In February 2019, fourteen S. aureus strains were isolated from surfaces in critical sites in the Al-Karak Governmental Hospital. These isolates underwent antibiogram testing to determine their resistance profile. Genome sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform was applied to the extracted DNA from these isolates. The genomic data, including coding sequences, were analyzed to identify lineage, resistance genes, and plasmids. Results: The antibiogram results revealed that 11 of the 14 isolates were resistant to oxacillin, 6 to linezolid, and 1 to rifampicin, while none showed resistance to chloramphenicol. Eleven isolates were identified as MRSA, with a novel spa type (t4407) not previously reported in Jordan. High-quality sequencing data were obtained for only one isolate, i.e., A29, the genome showed 2,789,641 bp with a 32.7% GC content and contained 2650 coding sequences. Genomic analysis indicated the ST6 lineage, mecA gene (SCCmec type IVa(2B)), and a hybrid plasmid (pJOR_blaZ) carrying the blaZ gene for β-lactam resistance. Genomic data were deposited in NCBI (CP104989). The A29 genome closely resembled an MRSA genome isolated from a Danish hospital in 2011. The SNP analysis revealed identical antimicrobial resistance genes in these two genomes. Conclusions: This study unveils the first genomic sequence of an MRSA isolate from Jordan, marked by distinctive genotypic traits. The findings enhance our understanding of the MRSA types circulating in Jordan and the region and substantiate the phenomenon of intercontinental MRSA transmission

Effect of Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Hepatic Fat Content and Visceral Lipids in Hepatic Patients with Diabesity: A Single-Blinded Randomised Controlled Trial

Objective. Limited studies have assessed the effect of moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise on hepatic fat content and visceral lipids in hepatic patients with diabesity. This study was designed to evaluate hepatic fat content and visceral lipids following moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise in hepatic patients with diabesity. Design. A single-blinded randomised controlled trial. Methods. Thirty-one diabetic obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were recruited into this study. The patients were randomly classified into exercise and control groups, fifteen patients in the exercise group and sixteen patients in the control group. The exercise group received an 8-week moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise program with standard medical treatment, while the control group received standard medical treatment without any exercise program. Hepatic fat content and visceral lipids were assessed before and after intervention at the end of the study. Results. Baseline and clinical characteristics showed a nonsignificant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). At the end of the intervention, the aerobic exercise showed significant improvements (serum triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), p≤0.002, total cholesterol, p=0.004, visceral fats, p=0.016, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), p=0.022, high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), p=0.038, alanine transaminases (AL), p=0.044, intrahepatic triglyceride and HOMA-IR, p=0.046, and body mass index (BMI), p=0.047), while the control group showed a nonsignificant difference (p>0.05). The postintervention analysis showed significant differences in favor of the aerobic exercise group (p<0.05). Conclusions. Moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise reduces the hepatic fat content and visceral lipids in hepatic patients with diabesity. Recommendations should be prescribed for encouraging moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training, particularly hepatic patients with diabesity