Kasmera

Dispelling Snake Bite Myths in Sri Lanka: Ensuring Proper Management and Safety

Faiz Marikar — 2025-07-20

Snake bites remain a significant public health issue in Sri Lanka due to prevalent myths and misconceptions that can hinder effective treatment and increase the risk of complications. This study aimed to debunk common myths and provide accurate information to guide appropriate responses and ensure proper management. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a village in Sri Lanka's North Central region, interviewing heads of households using a pre-designed questionnaire. Key findings revealed several harmful misconceptions. The belief that cutting and sucking the bite site removes venom is ineffective and can introduce bacteria, while applying a tourniquet can restrict blood flow and lead to severe complications. Identifying the snake species is not crucial for antivenom treatment, as most antivenoms are polyvalent. Additionally, the notion that snake charmers can safely handle and cure snake bites is unfounded, and the belief in the effectiveness of certain plants or herbs for neutralizing venom is scientifically unsupported. These findings highlight the urgent need for public health interventions to address snake bite myths and promote evidence-based practices. By disseminating accurate information and improving access to healthcare, the burden of snake bites in Sri Lanka can be significantly reduced

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of carbapenemases in clinical isolates of Enterobacterales

Patricia Del Pilar Suarez — 2025-08-20

Carbapenem-resistant strains of Enterobacterales have become a global public health threat due to widespread antibiotic resistance and high mortality rates. The aim of this study was to characterize phenotypically and genotypically the carbapenemase produced by clinical isolates of Enterobacterales isolated in a hospital in Santa Elena (Ecuador) during the period January 2020-December 2022. For Identification and Susceptibility of Enterobacterales, Phoenix® automated equipment was used. The intermediate or carbapenem-resistant strains (imipenem, meropenem and *ertapenem) were tested using the agar diffusion method (Kirby & Baüer), modified Hodge test, carbapenem inactivation method (inhibition with EDTA and/or boronic acid) and the E-test ™ method. Of 96 strains that showed resistance to carbapenems, 75 (78.13%) were carbapenemase-producing and identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae (80.00%), Escherichia coli (13.34%), Klebsiella ozaenae (4.00%), Klebsiella oxytoca (1.33%) and Morganella morganii (1.33%). A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was found between all the variables analyzed and carbapenemase production. Only the blaKPC (68.75%) and blaNDM (9.38%) genes were detected. These findings demonstrate the rapid spread of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in the region, requiring new and stringent surveillance and control strategies

Detection of parasites in the soil of a park located at low altitude in a city on the coast of Ecuador

Stalin Javier Cedeño-Menéndez — 2025-08-23

Parasitic infections are related to poor health education, inadequate environmental sanitation and contamination of soil with fecal matter. Soil contamination with zoonotic parasites that are excreted by animals, which are emitted or become infective in the soil, can infect humans and produce clinical symptoms. In order to evaluate the presence of parasites in the soil of a park in a city in Ecuador, data analysis was performed in the EPIINFO 6.0 platform to obtain the number of samples. Fifty soil samples were collected, each sample was processed with Willis and spontaneous sedimentation techniques. In the microscopic analysis, 38% of the samples were positive, the most frequent species was Toxocara canis, with a prevalence of 26%, unidentified nematode larvae 14%, followed by Ancylostoma spp and Trichuris spp with 4% each. Among the protozoa, 6% of unidentified coccidia were detected, and Toxoplasma gondii with 2%. All of the parasitic species found were found in animals and some were zoonotic, which implies a risk of infection for park users who maintain contact with the soil and do not comply with proper hygiene standards

Gram-positive cocci as etiological agents of urinary tract infections

Maribel Josefina Castellano-González — 2025-08-23

The database of the results of urine cultures processed at the Bacteriological Reference Center of the Autonomous Service of the University Hospital of Maracaibo (CRB-SAHUM) was reviewed in order to establish the frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-positive cocci as etiological agents of urinary tract infections during the period January 2011-December 2015. These microorganisms were detected with an overall frequency of 5.52%; being the enterococci, the most frequent (57.66%); followed by streptococci (21.44%) and, finally, staphylococci (20.90%). The most commonly isolated species, by bacterial genus, were: Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae. Enterococci showed more resistance to antibiotics and expressed greater diversity of resistance profiles. A statistically significant association was found between the sex of the patients and the presence of urinary tract infection (p<0.05). Oxacillin resistance of staphylococci and vancomycin strains in enterococci is associated with antimicrobial co-resistance expressed by these strains (p<0.05). High percentages of resistance to ampicillin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, tetracycline and erythromycin were detected; however, a high sensitivity to vancomycin and teicoplanin was found, except for enterococci, which showed low sensitivity to these antibiotics

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in the child population of Piar municipality, Bolivar State, Venezuela. 2016-2023

Rodolfo Antonio Devera — 2025-09-03

Between 2016 and 2023, 391 children and adolescents from 6 communities (2 urban and 4 rural) of the Piar municipality of Bolivar state were evaluated to determine the prevalence of enteroparasites. The mean age was 11.5 years (SD: ±11.7 years). The largest age group was school children with 41.2% (n=161). In relation to gender, 53.4% were females and 46.5% were males. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 61.9%, being significantly higher in rural communities (64.8%) (χ²= 4.635 f.g.: 1 p<0.05). The chromatid group was the most common (41.9%). Twelve parasite taxa were identified, the main ones being Blastocystis spp. (41.9%), Entamoeba coli (20.2%) and Giardia intestinalis (18.2%). School children were significantly more affected (χ² = 32.00 f.g.: 3 p<0.05). The percentage of polyparasitism was 47.5%, where the most frequent associated parasites were: Blastocystis spp. (78.3%), E. coli (60.9%), Endolimax nana (40.0%) and G. intestinalis (33.0%). In conclusion, a high prevalence of intestinal parasites was determined in the infant population of the Par municipality, Bolivar state, with a greater affectation of school children. The results are similar to those reported in other municipalities of Bolivar state

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of carbapenemases of Gram-negative bacilli isolated in bronchial aspirates in a public hospital of Santa Elena in times of COVID-19

Patricia Del Pilar Suarez Gonzalez — 2025-09-13

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of highly antibiotic-resistant microorganisms has been documented, highlighting carbapenemase-producing organisms, which confer resistance to carbapenems and other antimicrobials. This work aimed to characterize, phenotypically and genotypically, carbapenemases (bla _KPC, bla _VIM,bla _IMP-1,bla _NDM and bla _OXA-48) produced by clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacilli isolated from bronchial aspirates from in-patientes at the intensive care unit in a public hospital in Santa Elena (Ecuador) over a two-year period (april 2020 - april 2022). In this period, strains of A. baumannii Complex (41.41%; n=41), K. pneumoniae (21.21%; n=21) and P. aeruginosa (4.04%; n=4) were mainly detected. In 13 strains of K. pneumoniae, the bla _KPC(61,90%), in 3 bla _NDM (14,29%) and in 1 bla _VIM (4,76%) genes were found. In the isolates of A. baumannii Complex, strains producing bla _IMP-1 (2,44%) and bla _NDM(2,44%)_. In an isolate of P. aeruginosa, the gene bla _VIM(50,00%) was identified. Rapid and accurate identification of carbapenemases provides epidemiological information relevant to antimicrobial therapy, infection control, and prevention of widespread spread

Reduction of Bacillus cereus on table eggshells through disinfection with quaternary ammonium salts, ethanol, and ultraviolet radiation

Joel Reyes-Roldan — 2025-10-09

This study observed a decrease in log10 CFU/mL of B. cereus after applying quaternary ammonium salts, indicating residual activity. Additionally, exposing whole eggs to UV radiation for 5 minutes reduced the microbial growth of B. cereus.

Intestinal parasitosis in children from three communities in Falcón state, Venezuela

Paola Terán-Bravo — 2025-09-14

More than 46 million children are at risk of intestinal parasite infection. The aim was to characterize intestinal parasitosis in children from three communities. The prevalence was 65%. 73% monoparasitized, Enterobius vermicularis and Blastocystis sp. were the most isolated. 24% biparasitized and 3% triparasitized. All are of low socioeconomic level