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Dermatophytosis corresponds to a broad series of infections, mostly superficial, caused by a group of keratinophilic and keratinolytic filamentous fungi called dermatophytes. These mycoses are currently considered to be a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries such as those in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Here we compiled and discussed existing epidemiologic data on these infections in the MENA region. Most of the available studies were based on conventional diagnostic strategies and were published before the last taxonomic revision of dermatophytes. This has led to misidentifications, which might have resulted in the underestimation of the real burden of these infections in the MENA countries. Our analysis of the available literature highlights an urgent need for further studies based on reliable diagnostic tools and standard susceptibility testing methods for dermatophytosis, which represents a major challenge for these countries. This is crucial for guiding appropriate interventions and activating antifungal stewardship programs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Syria; public health emergency; migrants; sanitation; diarrhoea EN Syria public health emergency migrants sanitation diarrhoea 1 2 2 01/05/23 20221201 NES 221201 Lebanon has been facing public health and economic challenges, including COVID-19 (1.22 million cases and 10 702 deaths to date in a population of ~6.8 million), severe shortages in medical supplies, pollution and a precipitous devaluation of its currency.[[1], [3]] Lebanon is bordered to the north and east by Syria, a country that has been experiencing a devastating civil war, resulting in mass suffering and displacement since 2011. Refugee settlements, sewage pollution, COVID-19 and the unfolding cholera outbreak in Lebanon It is not an exaggeration to note that, without international support, COVID-19 would have exerted a higher toll on the Syrian refugees and the hosting community in Lebanon.[4],[5] Similarly, Lebanon has limited capabilities to manage sewage, including hospital effluent, and municipal water due to deficiencies in wastewater treatment plants and sustainable safe-water distribution infrastructures, which are likely facilitating the spread of cholera across the country. [Extracted from the article]

This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of the plantMicromeria barbata(M. barbata) against the Gram negative and Gram positive bacterial strains (from wild type strains and strains that have multiple mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics), as well as against a clinical strain ofCandida albicans(C. albicans). The essential oil was obtained by Clevenger steam distillation. The composition of the essential oil in question as well as the concentrations of each component was determined by GC-MS. Clinically isolated strains were used, and their sensitivity to antibiotics was determined using the well diffusion method, while the resistance mechanism was determined through molecular methods. The activity of the essential oil against all tested strains was carried out using the diffusion method, and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined using the dilution method on agar. The results of the antimicrobial activity showed that the oil had a good activity on wild strains and on strains having different mechanisms of resistance. The oil in question has a significant activity on all tested microorganisms. The broad spectrum of the antimicrobial activity of the oil, especially that directed against multi-resistant pathogens involved in human infections, make it useful to use this oil for the formulation of new drugs used to treat microbial infections, especially infections with antibiotic-resistant strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The health and well-being of refugees are critically compromised by harsh living conditions, which foster the emergence of infectious diseases and the misuse of antimicrobial agents. This multicentre cross-sectional community-based study investigated the prevalence of urine carriage of bacteria and the associated antimicrobial resistance patterns among Syrian refugees living in makeshift camps in Lebanon, an East Mediterranean country., Methods: We used multivariable logistic regression models to identify the risk factors associated with bacteriuria in this vulnerable population. Mid-stream urine samples were collected aseptically from 79 Syrian refugees; regardless of whether they exhibited symptoms of urinary tract infections. Samples were inoculated onto UriSelect™ 4 chromogenic agar and bacterial isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF-MS. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay., Results: The prevalence of bacteriuria was 30.8% (95% CI: 21.6-41.7), and the etiologic agents were primarily Escherichia coli (80%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12%), and Enterobacter cloacae complex (8%). The Enterobacterales isolates exhibited high resistance to penicillins (64%), cephalosporins (20-48%), and quinolones (28%), with 56% showing multidrug resistance. While the female sex and rubbish accumulation were risk factors, tea consumption, reduced chicken intake, and economic support were protective against bacteriuria., Conclusion: This report corroborates prior anecdotal evidence regarding underdiagnosed bacteriuria among Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The data highlight the pressing need for monitoring and awareness programs to curb the spread of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance in both refugee and host communities., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2025 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)