Biological Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Lavandula mairei Humbert: Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities

Hospital-acquired infections involving carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae pose significant challenges in the intensive care units. The lack of novel antimicrobial drugs amplifies the urgency to explore innovative management strategies. Nanotechnology, with its ability to generate nanoparticles possessing specific properties beneficial in drug delivery and nanomedicine, stands as a pivotal research domain. The objective of this study was to synthesize, for the first time, biologically silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) from Lavandula mairei Humbert (L. mairei) plant. The biosynthesized Ag-NPs were characterized by UV-visible spectral analysis, X-Ray diffraction Analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Subsequently, the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Ag-NPs were assessed using the micro-dilution method, DPPH test and FRAP assay, respectively. The green-synthesized Ag-NPs exhibited high antibacterial activity against ESBL-producing multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains and against carbapenem-resistant and non-carbapenem-resistant strains of A. baumannii, as well as a very interesting antioxidant activity. The present study suggests that these results hold very promising for the potential application of biologically synthesized Ag-NPs from L. mairei (Ag-LM-NPs) in the invention of novel antibacterial and antioxidant agents.

Occurrence and removal of intestinal parasites in two wastewater treatment plants in the south of Morocco

BACKGROUND

Agadir city plans to reuse treated wastewater on a large scale to irrigate these green spaces. This study aims to evaluate the risk of intestinal parasites, to which human and animal populations are exposed during the reuse of treated wastewaters.

METHODS

Over 21 months, wastewater samples were collected in Bensergao and Mzar wastewater treatment plants, in Agadir city, southern Morocco. The occurrences and removal of intestinal parasites were inspected using the modified Bailenger method.

RESULTS

The biodiversity of helminths is higher than protozoa, while the protozoa cysts are more abundant and more prevalent. Generally, the highest parasitic loads were recorded during the hot season. For raw waters, the average concentration of protozoa cysts was 173.33 ± 70.81 cysts per L for Bensergao plant and 179.33 ± 129.22 cysts per L for Mzar plant. However, the helminths average concentration was 48.70 ± 39.91 eggs/larvae per L for Bensergao plant and 51.10 ± 31.76 eggs/larvae per L for Mzar plant. The purified water of the Mzar plant does not contain parasites, unlike the Bensergao plant where a small numbers of parasites were detected, included 2.33 ± 1.53 cysts per L for protozoa and 0.45 ± 0.58 eggs/larvae per L for helminths.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering parasitological risks, the purified waters of Bensergao plant cannot be used without risks to the public health and environment. In contrast, the purified waters and the purified waters disinfected by ultraviolet radiation from the Mzar plant can be used safely to water the green spaces of Agadir city.

The prevalence of syphilis in HIV-seropositive patients: a retrospective study at the regional hospital in Agadir, Morocco

Introduction

HIV and syphilis are major public health problems in Morocco. The region of Souss-Massa, south-west of the country, hold more than 24% of HIV seropositive cases registered in Morocco during 2009. The aim of this study is to evaluate the seroprevalence of syphilis among HIV seropositive patients in the region of Souss-Massa, south-west of Morocco.

Methods

To evaluate the seroprevalence of syphilis and neurosyphilis among HIV seropositive patients, we retrospectively investigated the medical records of HIV-infected patients attending the regional hospital located in the city of Agadir, during the period comprised between 2011 and 2016.

Results

The population studied involved 1381 males (49.18%) and 1427 females (50.82%) HIV seropositive patients. Among them, 481 patients were seropositive for syphilis and three cases were diagnosed with neurosyphilis. The sex ratio distribution was 243 male (52.71%) and 218 female (47.29%). The prevalence of syphilis among the studied population was estimated to 16.42% with a slight dominance in male (17.63%) compared to female (15.28%). By contrast, neurosyphilis was only detected in male patients, with a prevalence estimated to 0.11%.

Conclusion

Even if the prevalence of HIV and syphilis is stable in the region of Souss-Massa, the prevalence of syphilis among HIV seropositive patients remained high and correlated positively with that of HIV infection. We did not find a significant difference between the genders, in relation to the prevalence of HIV and syphilis. We concluded that it was essential to continue monitoring the population, in order to improve the prevention and the access to the medical care in the south-west of Morocco.

[Neuromeningeal cryptococcosis in patients infected with HIV at Agadir regional hospital, (Souss-Massa, Morocco)]

INTRODUCTION

Neuromeningeal cryptococcosis (NMC) is a severe and fatal opportunistic infection. Lethality is frequent in the absence of treatment, especially in the presence of HIV co-infection.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence, epidemiological, clinical, biological and therapeutic aspects as well as the evolution of NMC for patients infected with HIV.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study of 40 cases of neuromeningeal cryptococcosis diagnosed in HIV-infected patients. Data are collected for 7 years (from January 2010 to December 2016) in the registers of the parasitology laboratory and the infectious diseases department at the regional hospital center in Agadir.

RESULTS

A reduction in the prevalence of neuromeningeal cryptococcosis in HIV-infected patients was noted from 2010 to 2016 (3.66% to 0.83%). The overall prevalence of NMC was 1.53%. The mean age was 37±10 years old, with 90% of patients aged less than 45 years. The main clinical symptomatology was headache (75%). The main cytochemical abnormalities of cerebrospinal fluid analysis were hyperproteinorachy (60%), hypoglycorachy (63%) and lymphocytosis (50%). The mean CD4 cell count was 47/mm³. Patients were initially treated with amphotericin B, relayed with fluconazole. The overall lethality was 35%.

CONCLUSION

Neuromeningeal cryptococcosis is a serious opportunistic infection in patients HIV-infected, and the lethality rate remains unacceptable. Fighting NMC in HIV+ patients requires early diagnosis, increased access to antiretrovirals, rapid introduction of appropriate treatment and the prescription of effective systemic antifungals.