Sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) isolated from the marine red macroalga Jania rubens exhibit diverse biological activities. Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agal

Background: In response to the early spread of COVID-19 in Lebanon, the University of Balamand developed the HAYATI app, a community-focused, geographic information system (GIS)–based digital health platform aimed at enhancing public health surveillance. At the time, while the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health utilized centralized dashboards to report confirmed cases and monitor national trends, no interactive tool existed to engage the public directly in real-time risk assessment and surveillance, especially in underserved regions. Objective: The aim of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of the HAYATI app as a GIS-integrated digital surveillance tool to identify high-risk individuals and support targeted testing and contact tracing during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon. Methods: The HAYATI app was launched in March 2020 using ArcGIS Survey123 and real-time dashboards, incorporating a risk scoring algorithm based on 21 clinical and behavioral criteria. Between April 2020 and March 2021, self-reported data were collected from 10,235 individuals across Lebanon. Participants identified as high or major risk through the automated scoring algorithm were referred for free polymerase chain reaction testing at the University of Balamand. Test results were securely communicated to local municipalities and the Ministry of Public Health. Data were analyzed for associations between symptoms and positivity rates, as well as geographic and demographic trends using spatial analysis tools. Results: Of the 10,235 individuals who submitted data, 1782 were classified as high or major risk and referred for polymerase chain reaction testing. Among them, 394 (22.1%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Loss of smell and taste was strongly associated with positive test results ( P <.001). The highest positivity rates were observed among individuals aged 18‐29 years and in the North Governorate. GIS mapping enabled real-time visualization of case clusters, which informed localized containment responses. Conclusions: The HAYATI app effectively filled a critical surveillance gap during the early pandemic phase in Lebanon. By integrating GIS technology, automated risk stratification, and community-level engagement, it provided a scalable model for public health surveillance in resource-limited settings. This approach has potential for broader applications in managing future outbreaks and endemic diseases through decentralized, real-time digital health strategies.

Colistin (polymyxin E), a last-resort antibiotic for the treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections, is becoming increasingly compromised by the rapid emergence and dissemination of resistance. The extensive use of colistin in agriculture and veterinary medicine has accelerated the spread of plasmid-mediated mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes, facilitating transmission across human, animal, and environmental reservoirs. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, and geographical distribution of colistin resistance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Analysis of the available literature indicates that Tunisia reports the highest prevalence of colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in North Africa (58.09%), followed by Egypt (24.76%), Algeria (14.29%), and Libya (2.86%). Across the region, mcr-1 is the predominant plasmid-mediated resistance determinant, whereas chromosomal alterations involving the mgrB, pmrA/pmrB, and phoP/phoQ regulatory systems are the principal non-plasmid-mediated mechanisms. Resistance has been documented in major clinical pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as in livestock, poultry, aquaculture, wildlife, food products, and environmental samples, highlighting the interconnected nature of resistance transmission under a One Health framework. The evidence demonstrates substantial geographical variability and significant gaps in surveillance across several MENA countries, limiting accurate regional burden estimates. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship, harmonized surveillance programs, molecular monitoring of resistance determinants, and the implementation of One Health strategies are essential to limit the continued emergence and dissemination of colistin resistance throughout the region.