We conducted a pilot study to assess microbiological safety of chicken litter, an affordable organic and main fertilizer used in Cameroon and worldwide. A convenience sampling of 26 farms was done and a questionnaire was administered. Samples of litter were aseptically collected. E. coli and Salmonella spp. were isolated using CLSI standards. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disc diffusion method and a micro broth dilution method for colistin. In broiler farms, 90% of participating farmers gave antibiotic prophylaxis. The prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella spp. was 59.1% and 15.5%, respectively. All E. coli isolates were multidrug resistant as well as 36.4% for Salmonella spp. No resistance was found against cefepime and imipenem. All Salmonella spp. tested were found sensitive to colistin while 26.7% of E. coli spp. were colistin resistant. Contamination of chicken litter may be an underestimated source of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) transmission towards animals, humans and the environment with multidrug resistant E. coli and Salmonella spp. This shows the need and opportunity for a One Health approach in AMR surveillance and control in Cameroon. Continued surveillance in chicken litter would enable monitoring of AMR risks and trends.

Residues of antimicrobials used in farm can exert selective pressure and accelerate the occurrence of multidrug resistant bacteria in litter. This study aimed to investigate the resistance profile of Escherichia coli isolated from poultry litter. A total of 101 E. coli strains was isolated from 229 litter samples collected and stored for two months in the laboratory at room temperature. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method. An overall resistance prevalence of 58.4% (95% CI: 48.8–68.0) was obtained with 59 E. coli strains resistant to various antimicrobial agents. High levels of resistance were observed with ciprofloxacin (21/59: 36%), imipenem (27/59: 45%), norfloxacin (44/59: 74%), ceftriaxone (44/59: 74%), and levofloxacin (44/59: 75%). These antimicrobials classified under the Watch group by WHO are indicators of the high AMR risk to public health in Cameroon. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a greater probability of high level of E. coli multidrug resistance was associated with lack of training in poultry farming (OR = 0.13, p = 0.01), less experience in poultry farming (OR = 11.66 p = 0.04), and the high frequency of digestive tract disease (OR = 0.10; p = 0.001). This study revealed that poultry litter constitutes a potential source of dissemination of resistant germs from farm animals to the environment and humans.

Evaluation of medication efficacy and safety is an essential guarantee to successful therapeutic outcome in public health practices. However, larger distribution chain supply in developing countries such as Cameroon is often challenged by counterfeit drugs, poor manufacturing, storage and degradation leading to health and patient adverse consequences. Yet, access to supply chain management in strengthening ARVs quality assurance and outcomes remains poorly documented. More than 53,000 patients have been enrolled on free ARVs medications, but little is documented on quality assurance and validity of safety for affected populations along the supply chain management since 2008. The cross sectional study was conducted in ARVs distribution units and centers in central, littoral and south west regions of Cameroon. ARVs drugs samples included Nevirapine, Efavirenz, and fixed dose combinations of Zidovudine + Lamivudine, Lamivudine + Stavudine and Zidovudine + Lamivudine + Nevirapine. Drugs packaging and labeling was assessed and galenic assays were performed at National Laboratory of quality Control of Medications and Expertise (LANACOME), Yaoundé, Cameroon. The study covered 16 structures located in eight different towns including the central ARVs store, two regional pharmaceutical procurement centers and thirteen HIV approved treatment centers and management units. A total of 35 ARVs products were collected. Only eight ARVs drugs containing Lamivudine and Stavudine presented with white stains on tablets, however these drugs were standard for all other tests performed. The others 28 ARVs products were standards to all assays performed. We concluded that ARVs drugs freely accessible and distributed to PLWHA are of good quality in Cameroon. However, with the increase number of patients under HAART since 2013, adoption of “Test and Treat” approach to reach the 90-90-90 goals and with the implementation of new national antiretroviral regimen guidelines and molecules such as boosted protease inhibitors, continuous quality control and assurance surveillance, monitoring and evaluation is recommended. Assessment of quality of formulations that are more susceptible to degradation such as pediatric formulations for averting the rising multidrug resistance trend is also desired.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major health concern with high rates in low-income countries. Bacteriology laboratories sustain the fight against AMR by providing antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) results to ensure appropriate therapies. These laboratories generate a lot of data, which are usually used for prospective interventions. Our study conducted in a lower-middle-income hospital setting aimed to describe the profile of bacteria isolated from the specimens received over 3 years, assess their susceptibility profile and identify potential gaps or area of improvement from the analysis of our data. Monthly data were retrieved from registers for all specimens received between January 2020 until December 2022. Data were compiled and analysed using the R and WHONET software. Out of 3582 specimens received, 797 were culture positive (22.3%). Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were frequently isolated (30.5% and 24.2%, respectively). AST results analysis showed high resistance of Gram-negative bacteria to penams and cephems, whereas low resistance was observed to carbapenems. Susceptibility to antibiotics based on the AWaRe antibiotic classification was variable. The bacteriological profile in the various types of specimen was established and rational information to design a therapeutic protocol adapted to our hospital setting was obtained. AST results may not only be used for prospective guidance for treatment, but rather cumulative data analysis can contribute to design effective antibiotic prescriptions and improve general practices at the laboratory. This is, however, dependent on a good record-keeping, standardization of practices and collaboration between clinicians and laboratory scientists.

De nombreuses décoctions de la pharmacopée traditionnelle utilisées pour le traitement de la COVID-19 contiennent des rhizomes de Zingiber officinale ( gingembre). L’un des mécanismes d’action de cette épice serait son action anti oxydante dues à la présence des composés phénoliques. Des échantillons de gingembre sont récoltés à Bangangté, Bafang, Kékem, Santchou et Mélong. Les teneurs moyennes en polyphénols (mEgAT/g ES) des extraits aqueux , hydroalcooliques et éthanoliques sont respectivement de 155,91 ±18,22 ; 321,46 ± 71,90 ; 136,44 ± 28,44 . Celles des flavonoïdes exprimés en mEg Quer/ g ES sont respectivement de 45,24± 13,49 ; 125,43±14,88 ; 76,52±10,80. Les activités antioxydantes varient également en fonction du solvant d’extraction. Avec la méthode FRAP elles sont de 1,34±0,42ng/ ml ; 2,08±0,59 ng/ml ; 1,64±0,49. La méthode PAP confirme ces résultats et donne les valeurs de 1,82±0,51 ng/mL ; 2,46±0,52ng/mL ; 2,06±0,50ng/mL respectivement . Dans tous les cas les rhizomes de Mélong sont plus riches en ces molécules et présentent les meilleures activités antioxydantes /antiradicalaires. Many decoctions from traditional pharmacopoeia are used to treat Covid-19 contain zingiber officinale rhizomes (gingembre). One of its mechanism of action would come from its antioxidant proprerty due to the presence of phenolic compounds .We therefore determined the contents of polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activities on water, alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts of gingembre harvested from Bangangté, Bafang, Kekem, Santchou and Melong. The mean contents of polyphenols expressed in mEgAT/g ES were 155,91 ±18,22; 321,46 ± 71,90 ; 136,44 ± 28,44 in aqueous, , hydro alcoholic and alcoholic extracts respectively. Those of flavonoids expressed in mEg Quer/g ES were 45,24± 13,49 ; 125,43±14,88 ; 76,52±10,80. Antioxidant activities measured according FRAB (1,34±0,42ng/ ml ; 2,08±0,59 ng/ml ; 1,64±0,49.) and PAP (1,82±0,51 ng/mL ; 2,46±0,52ng/mL ; 2,06±0,50ng/ mL ) methods vary according to the type of extract . Polyphenol, flavonoids contents and antioxidant activities from Melong were higher than those of the other sites .

Aim and objective: Cervicofacial cellulitis of dental origin is a polymicrobial infection characterized by inflammation of the deep spaces of the neck and face. These conditions can be life-threatening, as the bacteria can spread throughout the body, leading to descending necrotizing mediastinitis, sepsis and death. Management is greatly challenging because of microbial polymorphism, probabilistic antibiotic selection treatment sometimes being hesitant and inappropriate because of lack of consensus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of odontogenic bacteria in cervicofacial infections. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted from May 2019 to August 2020 in the odontostomatology and bacteriology departments of the Sangmelima District and Reference Hospitals in Cameroon. Thirty five samples were collected by swabbing or puncture. Specific culture media were used to inoculate samples. Sensitivity of isolated bacteria was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer diffusion disk method. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0. Results: Thirty samples were positive (85.7%). Bacteria isolated were Streptococcus (40%), Staphylococcus (30%), Pseudomonas (20%), Escherichia coli (6.7%) and Lactobacillus (3.3%). Sensitivity testing was performed with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, metronidazole, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem and clindamycin. Bacteria were more sensitive to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin and imipenem. Conclusion: Bacteria identified in purulent secretions from cervicofacial cellulitis are much more sensitive to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin and imipenem. Peer Review History: Received 25 March 2024; Revised 4 May 2024; Accepted 27 June; Available online 15 July 2024 Academic Editor: Prof. Dr. Gorkem Dulger, Duzce University, Turkey, gorkemdulger@yandex.com Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, sansan4240732@163.com Prof. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy, Sana'a University, Yemen, shmahe@yemen.net.ye