The African Journal of Laboratory Medicine focuses on the role of the laboratory and its professionals in the clinical and public healthcare sectors, and is specifically based on an African frame of reference.

Background: Nosocomial infections acquired during hospitalization depend on the characteristics of the microorganisms, with a high risk of being acquired when the contaminated environment. Cross-transmission of microorganisms by contaminated surfaces and the hands of health care workers are considered to be the main route of the spread of nosocomial infections. Aim of study: This study aim to detect the fungal contamination of ward furnishings and medical equipment used in the intensive care unit and Neonatal intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: Fifty environmental swabs were collected from ward furnishings and medical equipment including predefined surfaces (armrest beds, wash sinks, medical tables), between August and September 2021.Swab specimens were immediately inoculated onto plates that contained Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. After that samples were incubated for a 1 to 7 days period at 28°C and checked every day for growth. Results: Out of fifty swabs samples, 21(42%) yielded Fungal growth. From these isolated organisms Penicillum species was the predominant isolate 10 (47.6%) followed byAspergillus flavus.Penicillum species was the commonest fungal isolates among ICU, while Aspergillus flavus were the predominant isolates among Neonatal ICU. The most contaminant Equipment was found in Neonatal ICU samples 5(55.6%), and the most contaminant Place in ICU was the floors 3(25%). Conclusion: This study showed that ICU of the hospital may contain fungi indicating that may form potential source of cross-infection through health care workers to their patients. Keywords: Fungi, Neonatal, ICU, and Infection.

Diabetic foot ulcers are among the most common side effects of diabetes mellitus and are associated with a high morbidity and death rate in diabetic patients. If diabetes is not treated and managed properly, diabetic foot ulcers can result in disability and even death. To prevent this condition, the patient should be knowledgeable about diabetic foot self-care and have enough practice with it. A descriptive study aimed to assess the practices of adult diabetic patients regarding the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers at Ribat University Hospital's follow-up clinic. The sample consisted of 80 diabetic patients who constituted all available patients during February 2023. Data was gathered through structured interview questionnaires and inputted and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). In this research, a total of 80 patients participated, 45% were males. 50% of patients with a disease duration of 1-10 years. According to the results of this study, the overall mean of practice was 45.75%, which means patients had a low level of practice towards the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers. The overall mean of practices concerning the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers was inadequate. Increasing patient awareness with education on appropriate foot self-care is very important.

Background: A newly emerged pathogenic subtype, Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp), can cause a series of severe, systemic invasive infections. Currently, a commonly used phenotypic indicator to clinically identify hvKp is hypermucoviscosity. The conventional method to detect this feature is the string test. This study aims to detect strains with the hypermucoviscous phenotype from clinically isolated Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of these strains, and to detect two pathogenicity-related genes, ybtA and rmpA2. Research Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study. After obtaining clinically isolated Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, they were first inoculated on MacConkey agar for subculture, purification, and reidentification using standard biochemical tests. Next, the string test was used to detect the hypermucoviscosity of the strains, and then the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains. Then, bacterial DNA was extracted using the boiling method. After extraction, multiplex PCR technology was used to detect the two pathogenicity-related genes, ybtA and rmpA2. Results: A total of 76 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were analyzed in this study. The ybtA gene was detected in 48.7% (37/76) of the strains, while the rmpA2 gene was detected in 31.6% (24/76) of the samples. Among the test results, 12 strains (15.8%) showed a hypermucoviscous phenotypically; the remaining 64 strains (84.2%) did not have the hypermucoviscous property. The antimicrobial resistance rates showed that ceftriaxone was the highest (93.4%), followed by gentamicin (68.4%). The resistance rates of classical cKps were all higher than those of hypervirulent hvKps: the resistance rate to gentamicin was 68.7% vs. 66.7%, to ceftriaxone was 93.7% vs. 91.7%, to meropenem was 35.9% vs. 33.3%, and to colistin was 45.3% vs. 16.7%. Conclusion: This study confirms that both hypermucoviscous hvKp and classical cKp strains coexist among isolates. The detection rates of the two virulence-related genes, ybtA and rmpA2, are relatively high, indicating that key pathogenic traits persist in the studied strain population.

The first moments of a newborn’s life are crucial, as immediate care ensures survival and sets the foundation for future health. Steps like clearing the airway, maintaining warmth, and initiating breastfeeding play a vital role in stabilizing the baby and promoting bonding. This essential care not only supports physical well-being but also nurtures emotional connection, laying the groundwork for a thriving life. This was a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted in the Saudi Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology in Kasala city in December 2024, to assess nurses' knowledge regarding immediate nursing care of newborns. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Most respondents were aged between 20 and 30 years, with females constituting 75% of the sample. A majority of participants have less than five years of experience, and most of them hold a bachelor’s degree. More than half received specialized training in neonatal care. According to the understanding of neonatal norms, the majority of nurses identified an Apgar score of 7-10 as normal. Most respondents identified correctly the normal range of newborn body temperature and emphasized immediate skin-to-skin contact. (52, 1%) recognized colostrum's role in boosting immunity. The statistical analysis showed that the only factor significantly linked to higher knowledge scores (p=0.032) was receiving specialized training. Heavy workload is cited as a key challenge faced by nurses in providing immediate nursing care. In contrast, the most critical knowledge gaps were concentrated in emergency resuscitation procedures, managing a non-breathing newborn, followed by poor knowledge of the chest compression-to-breathing ratio during newborn CPR. The results also revealed a gap in knowledge of the latest protocols regarding delayed cord clamping. This knowledge gap highlights an urgent need for targeted training.

Background: H. pylori is a gram-negative, spiral shaped, Microaerophile pathogenic bacterium that specifically colonizes on the gastric epithelium, it is one of the most common human bacterial pathogens and is the main etiological factor for peptic ulcer disease, simple gastritis and gastric malignancy. The immune status of diabetic patients is compromised, which may lead to an increased susceptibility to H. pylori infection. The aim of this study is to assess Association between Helicobacter pylori and Diabetes Mellitus. Methods and Material: This was a cross-sectional study with 102 diabetic patients (both IDDM and NIDDM). H.pylori was assessed through the determination of stool antigen by Immunochromatography. Results: Out of 102 samples were collected from diabetic patients, 58 were male and 44 were female. 52.9% of them are positive for H.pylori and 47.1% are negative. The mean ages of H.pylori positive patients were 44.01 years where the mean age of negative patients were 42.47 years. There was a statistically significance association (p=0.007) between the diabetes and H.Pylori infection, also there was association between history of GIT disorder and H. pylori infection, between smoking and H. pylori infection. Conclusion: The study showed that Helicobacter pylori infection was significantly higher in diabetes Mellitus. Keywords: H.pylori, Diabetes Mellitus, T1DM, T2DM