Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Zimbabwe

Introduction: The prevalence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Africa is sparsely documented. In Zimbabwe there is no routine patient or specimen screening for MRSA. The aim of this study was to document the presence and epidemiology of MRSA in Zimbabwe.Method: The study was done in one private sector laboratory with a national network that serves both public and private hospitals. The sample population included in-patients and outpatients, all ages, both genders, all races and only one positive specimen per patient was counted. Specimens testing positive for Staphylococcus aureus in this laboratory were further tested for MRSA using cefoxitin, by standard laboratory procedures. Data was collected from 1st June 2013 to 31st May 2014.Results: MRSA was positive in 30 of 407 [7.0%] cases of Stapylococcus aureus reported from the laboratory. All age groups were affected from neonates to geriatrics. All specimens had similar antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Resistance was high for most widely used drugs in Zimbabwe with high sensitivity to vancomycin, linezolid and teicoplanin.Conclusion: Although there are no recent reports in the literature of the presence of MRSA in Zimbabwe, this study documented a 7.0% prevalence. Resistance to common antibiotics is high and antibiotic oversight is required to control the emergence of resistance to these few expensive drugs.Funding: Study was supported by Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care funds.Keywords: Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Zimbabwe, antibiotic resistance, vancomycin, teicoplani

Preventing infectious diseases in long-term travelers to rural Africa

[Extract] The traveler to, or expatriate residing in, rural areas of developing countries for prolonged periods is at greater risk of illness than the short-term traveler.1 This is a result of increased and more intense exposure to pathogens and their vectors or reservoirs, poorly developed infrastructure for water supply and sewerage disposal, limited environmental hygiene, extreme climates, potentially greater risk-taking behavior, and limited availability of medical facilities. Risk may be reduced by appropriate counseling, and vaccination and prophylactic medication based on the best available epidemiological data. This paper aims to provide travelers and practitioners with guidelines for reducing the risk of acquiring important infectious diseases associated with long-term travel or placement in rural Africa, a topic that is generally neglected.2 The diseases discussed were chosen on the basis of their frequency or potential severity and include yellow fever, malaria, tick-borne infections, food and waterborne disease, schitosomiasis, rabies, and tuberculosis