Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an opportunistic pathogen that colonizes the anterior nares of about one-third of the human population. Anterior nares colonization with S. aureus or methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) allows these pathogens to colonize the skin and other anatomical locations. Accordingly, these pathogens may cause different types of endogenous infections. To investigate the prevalence of nasal carriage of S. aureus or MRSA among Palestinian diabetic patients, nasal swabs were taken from 151 diabetic patients, about to undergo invasive surgeries. Thirty-five patients (35.1% of the total patients) were found to be colonized with S. aureus, of which 14 (9.7% of the total patients) were found to be colonized with MRSA. These proportions were higher than those described for the general population (30% and 1.3%, respectively) or even for Palestinian patients in general (25.9% and 2%, respectively). In addition, the proportion of nasal carriage of S. aureus or MRSA among Palestinian diabetic patients was found to be higher than that described for diabetic patients in other countries. Meanwhile, 30 of the 53 isolates (57% of the total isolates) were also found to be multidrug-resistant. Accordingly, the proportion of anterior nares colonization with S. aureus or MRSA in Palestinian diabetic patients was remarkably high.

Background and Aim: Foodborne illnesses have shaken mothers' defense worldwide because poor knowledge and unsafe food handling practices can jeopardize their children. In Jordan, there are no reliable data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of mothers regarding food safety when the COVID-19 pandemic occurs. Therefore, this study evaluated Jordanian mothers' understanding, beliefs, and behaviors by examining their KAPs during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on food safety KAPs of mothers living in Jordan following the COVID-19 pandemic. A reliable and accurate survey with 55 questions was distributed among mothers through social media. A total of 376 mothers completed the questionnaire. Results: The results showed a remarkable awareness among the participants of how to keep food safe. However, there is still a significant gap in the implementation of this information in everyday life. This research emphasizes the need for focused interventions in the context of COVID-19 to bridge the gap between Jordanian mothers' KAPs on food safety and personal cleanliness. Conclusion: Efforts should be made, such as public health campaigns and educational programs, to empower mothers, guaranteeing a consistent and comprehensive approach to food safety and personal hygiene in families. These results provide important insights for policymakers and health professionals who want to improve public health initiatives and community resilience during public health crises. Keywords: food safety, foodborne illness, Jordan, knowledge, attitudes and practices, personal hygiene.

Food safety is paramount, especially for vulnerable groups like pregnant and postpartum women. In this cross-sectional study, Jordanian women in different maternal states—pregnant, postpartum, and non-pregnant—were examined for their knowledge and habits regarding food safety. An online survey with 350 respondents yielded information on the participants’ opinions about food safety, personal hygiene, food storage, shopping habits, knowledge of cross-contamination, and handling of baby formula. According to the findings, many participants exhibited poor knowledge (53.7–65.2%) and practices (39.4–50%) related to food safety, with no significant differences in whether or not they were pregnant. Sociodemographic characteristics, including age and information sources, impacted postpartum women’s knowledge and practices about food safety. These findings highlight the importance of food safety education and awareness programs, particularly for pregnant and postpartum women, to lower the risk of foodborne infections during this critical period.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is emerging as a global public health concern due to its nature of spread. There are limited treatment options, as the sole drug for treatment is lacking, highlighting the need for new therapeutic options. The use of computer-aided drugs discovery such as molecular docking, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and post-simulation analysis are important tools in identifying potential compounds that can target specific proteins of the virus, such as DNA polymerase to stop virus replication. This study employed molecular docking and molecular simulation with the aim to identify potential inhibitors for MPXV treatment from the ZINC Database. Molecular docking was performed using PyRx 0.8 version after virtual screening of the ZINC database using the Tranches tool; then, toxicity prediction of the selected compounds was performed using the ProTox-3.0 web server. Molecular dynamics simulation was conducted using GROMACS version 4.5 to evaluate the structural stability and dynamic behavior of the protein–ligand complex for the best interacting compound. Furthermore, post-simulation analysis was conducted using standard GROMACS utilities for visualizing time-dependent properties from MD simulations. A total of 16 compounds were shortlisted based on their molecular docking scores and interaction profiles with the monkeypox virus DNA polymerase (PDB ID: 8HG1). The leading compound, ZINC000019418450, demonstrated strong binding affinity (−7.4 kcal/mol). According to post-simulation analysis, all top compounds formed between one and five hydrogen bonds and up to eleven hydrophobic contacts with residues within the active site, thus providing strong geometric and energetic evidence for binding stability. Notably, our identification of ZINC000104288636 as a Class 6 compound with an LD₅₀ of 23,000 mg/kg adds translational value by highlighting candidates with low predicted acute toxicity. Overall, this study lays a solid foundation for the rational design of next-generation monkeypox antiviral therapeutics. Future work is needed for experimental validation of prioritized compounds to assess their biochemical efficacy and pharmacological potential.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most significant current public health issues, which is driven crucially by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. Antibiotics are still available without a prescription in many underdeveloped countries, including Jordan, allowing for self-medication and incorrect usage, which contributes to the establishment and spread of resistant bacteria. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate antibiotic-use practices and assess knowledge and awareness of antimicrobial resistance among the Jordanian population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational survey between September 2023 and January 2025, targeting males and females in Jordan. A QR code was used to distribute an online convenience sampling strategy with 57 questions across social media channels. The survey investigated a variety of aspects, including demographic traits, antibiotic knowledge and behaviour, and public awareness of resistance. The questionnaire was completed by 1031 people. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The chi-square test was performed to compare demographic groupings, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Among the 1031 participants, 61.3% were female and 37.8% were male. Recent utilization of antibiotics was prevalent, with 37.8% indicating usage in the preceding month and 26.4% within the last six months. It is noteworthy that 61% (n = 624) of participants indicated that they had consumed antibiotics without a prescription, while 33.6% (n = 345) reported acquiring antibiotics for children without a prescription. Furthermore, pharmacies constituted the predominant source of antibiotics, accounting for 90.4% of the total. Common misconceptions regarding the indications for antibiotics were observed, with a segment of participants under the impression that antibiotics are effective in treating symptoms such as fever (40.6%) and body pain (15%). Additionally, participants exhibited a moderate level of awareness regarding antimicrobial resistance, with 69.2% demonstrating familiarity with the concept, while 90% acknowledged the increased difficulty in treating infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant organisms. Nevertheless, major misconceptions persisted, including 84.8% incorrectly believing that antibiotic resistance occurs when the human body becomes resistant to antibiotics and then antibiotics cannot work properly. More than half of the respondents (n = 569; 57.1%) also believed that AMR only or mainly affects individuals who frequently take antibiotics and does not concern others. Conclusions: This study has identified that non-prescription antibiotic use remains prevalent in Jordan and is accompanied by substantial misconceptions regarding antimicrobial resistance. Although general awareness of the seriousness of AMR was relatively high, important knowledge gaps persisted. In the adjusted analysis, among the covariates, participants aged 51–60 years had higher odds of reporting non-prescription antibiotic use than those aged 18–30 years (aOR = 1.872, 95% CI 1.072–3.268; p = 0.028). Moreover, participants with a high-school education (aOR = 0.415, 95% CI 0.196–0.879; p = 0.022) and those with a master’s degree (aOR = 0.411, 95% CI 0.181–0.933; p = 0.034) had lower odds than the no-formal-education reference group. No other covariate was statistically significant. The findings clearly indicate the need for strengthened enforcement of prescription-only antibiotic dispensing regulations, targeted public education to address specific misconceptions, and expanded antimicrobial stewardship initiatives involving community pharmacists to promote responsible antibiotic use and lessen the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria have been isolated from a major wastewater pathway. These bacteria harbor several antimicrobial resistance genes that confer resistance to several antibiotics simultaneously. The main aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance profiles of lactose-fermenting gram-negative bacteria isolated from the main wastewater pathway in the Nablus area of the West Bank, Palestine. A total of 162 lactose-fermenting isolates belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family were isolated from a sample obtained from the main wastewater pathway. Most of the isolates obtained were identified to the species level using the API-20 E identification system. The proportions of MDR strains among the obtained Escherichia coli and Citrobacter Koseri isolates were 19.1% and 10%, respectively. Among all isolates, six were found to be extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. These included three E. coli isolates, one Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate, and two C. Koseri isolates. Approximately 12.3% of the total isolates were MDR and 3.7% were identified as ESBL producers. The prevalence of MDR isolates in our study was concerning, indicating that immediate and decisive measures are needed to halt its escalation and promote its reduction.