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Human brucellosis is an infectious disease, caused by different species of the genus Brucella. It is a mandatory notifiable disease in most countries, including Morocco, and thus requires special vigilance on the part of health agencies. Prevention of this disease is based on surveillance and prevention of risk factors. Its management is based on serological or other diagnostic tests. The National Laboratory of Epidemic Diseases received 17 blood samples of human origin for notified cases of brucellosis in a region of southern Morocco. Biological confirmation of these samples was performed by Rose Bengal test and ELISA IgM test. The results showed a positivity rate of 88% proving the important role of serological tests in the diagnosis of brucellosis. Other rapid and efficient techniques are becoming essential for the confirmation of cases, taking into account the advanced biosafety procedures for these highly infectious pathogens.

Multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are a major public health threat worldwide. These germs are the most redoubtable because they are producers of beta-lactamases and possess other mechanisms of resistance to many antibiotics. The objective of this work is to identify isolated strains of Enterobacteriaceae and to study their antibiotic resistance profiles, thus contributing to the surveillance of antibioresistance. This is a retrospective study over a period of three years (2018-2020) including urine samples taken in the region of Rabat-Salé-Zaire and examined at the laboratory of Epidemic Diseases in National Institute of Hygiene of Rabat. Enterobacteriaceae were the most frequent germs with a predominance of Escherichia coli (68%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (23%). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae accounted for 10.5%. The highest resistance was observed with amoxicillin, followed by ticarcillin, cefalotin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin+clavulanic acid, nalidixic acid and finally ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. The aminoglycosides and the 2nd and 3rd cephalosporins were the most active molecules. The sensitivity of imipenem and ertapenem was 100%. This study shows the worrying appearance of resistance to the usual antibiotics in uropathogenic enterobacteria. Rational prescription of antibiotics and monitoring of the evolution of bacterial resistance are necessary in each region.

Au Maroc, les produits cerealiers (ble tendre et ble dur) constituent la base du regime alimentaire. Un total de 60 echantillons des farines utilisees pour la consommation humaine ont ete collectes...

In Morocco, sheep farming is of particular socio-economic importance in the country’s supply of red meat. Moroccan sheep population is estimated at 16 million, head of which half are females. Among Moroccan breeds in high demand, Sardi is known for its very high productivity and meet good quality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the microbiological quality of raw milk from Moroccan Sardi sheep through enumeration of Mesophilic Total Aerobic Flora (FAMT), Total and fecal coli forms (CT, CF), sulphite reducing clostridia (SRC) Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and mold search for pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, Shigella and Listeria monocytogenes). The assurance of microbial quality of milk was done by evaluating 30 samples of milk, from three different Moroccan regions. Microbiological analysis was performed as recommended by AFNOR bio 12/15-09-05(1996), ISO 16140 (1990) and Moroccan Standards (NM) (2004). Results obtained showed that none of the studied samples contained a formidable pathogen to humans and well over 99.5% of the samples do not contain S. aureus. In most samples, the average burden of FAMT, CT and CF and mold does not exceed the limit recommended by the national and international standars for milk and dairy products. The evaluation of the quality of raw Sardi sheep milk produced locally has shown that the latter is of good quality and meets the required criteria. Key words: Sheep milk, microbiological analysis, hygienic quality, Sardi.

Cereal products (soft and hard wheat) are a basic staple food in the Moroccan diet. A total of 60 samples of two types of wheat flours used for human consumption were collected; 30 samples among this collection were obtained from various households using Moroccan varieties of wheat produced in traditional flour mills. The rest of the samples were purchased from retail wheat flour sources in the Rabat and Sale city markets. Standard plate counts (SPC), total and faecal coliforms, Clostridium, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, yeast, lactic acid bacteria, and molds, were carried out to assess the microbiological quality of wheat flour. Microbiological interpretation of the criteria was performed according to standards implemented by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Most frequent counts, in traditional and industrial wheat flour, were total aerobic mesophilic bacteria with an average 4 × 104 and 2.5 × 104 cfu/g, respectively. The results showed higher coliform and fungi counts in house than in commercial samples. Pathogenic flora as Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, and Clostridium were not detected in all investigated samples. Bacterial strains isolated from both flours belong to the following genera: Enterobacter spp., Serratia spp., Klebsiella spp., Pantoea spp., Leclercia spp., Proteus spp. The most frequent genus of the investigated isolates was Aspergillus (81 %). Microbial counts were lower than the limit laid down in the Codex Alimentarius, attributing to these flours a satisfactory microbiological quality.

Introduction: Salmonella enterica is recognised worldwide as one of the major agents of human gastrointestinal infections. The aim of the present work is to ascertain the antimicrobial susceptibilities of 150 Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis isolates from humans in Morocco during the period from 2000 to 2008. Methodology: Antimicrobial resistance determination was performed by disk diffusion method using seven antibiotics. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ciprofloxacin was determined for nalidixic acid-resistant (NAR) isolates using E-test strips. Results: Sixty-one (42%) isolates were resistant to at least one class of antimicrobial agent. The largest numbers of resistant isolates were observed for nalidixic acid with 53 isolates (36%) followed by ampicillin with 7 isolates (5%), tetracycline with 6 isolates (4%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole with 2 isolates (1%).The resistant isolates were grouped in seven different resistance patterns of which two isolates were resistant to three antibiotics. Among the 53 (36%) NAR isolates, 37 (76%) had a reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: Resistance rates of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis from Morocco are generally low but the resistance to nalidixic acid is worryingly common. Continual surveillance of antibiotic resistance is of primary importance. Background: Salmonella enterica is recognised worldwide as one of the major agents of human gastrointestinal infections . The aim of the present work is to ascertain the situation regarding antimicrobial resistance in 150 S. Enteritidis isolates from humans in Morocco during the period 2000-2008. Methodology: Antimicrobial resistance determination was performed by disk diffusion method using seven antibiotics. The minimal inhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin was determined for nalidixic acid-resistant (NAR) isolates using E-test strips. Result: Among the 49 (33%) NAR strains 37 (76%) had a decreased sensitivity to the ciprofloxacin. The rates of resistance observed for other antibiotics were: ampicillin (5%), tetracycline (4%), and trimethoprim /sulfamethoxazole (1%). The 61 isolates where resistance was observed were grouped in seven different resistance patterns of which two strains were resistant to three antibiotics. Conclusion: It is of primary importance that there must be a continuing surveillance of antibiotic resistance.