Maha M Ayoub, Faizah D Retnowati, Asma Maliha, Rafia Anjum, Marawan Abu-Madi, Atiyeh M Abdallah
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs) are a significant occupational health hazard to laboratory workers. Laboratory personnel can become infected by various pathogens handled as part of their work, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Despite their importance, data on LAI in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions are limited. The aim of this study was to systematically review the reported LAIs in the MENA region to identify gaps in biosafety practices and identify the most common infectious agents contributing to them.
Methods: The PubMed, Scopus, LAI, and Belgian Biosafety Server (BBS) databases were searched from conception to October 2024 for any reports and cases of LAIs in the MENA region, following PRISMA guidelines. Using a systematic strategy, inclusion criteria were relevant studies reporting cases involving MENA laboratory workers. Non-laboratory cases or studies with insufficient data were excluded. Quality was assessed using a specific quality assessment tool for case reports and case series. Reported cases were analyzed by infection type, risk factors, and laboratory practices.
Results: Of 2,062 studies, 12 articles (24 cases) from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and UAE were considered eligible for inclusion. Twenty-four LAI cases were reported in the MENA region between 1968 and 2016. Brucella melitensis was the most frequently reported pathogen, reported in 66.7% of cases, highlighting a specific occupational risk in microbiology laboratories in the region. The review also identified gaps in data reporting, variability in laboratory biosafety practices, and a tendency towards underreporting.
Conclusions: This review highlights the occupational health risks posed by LAIs in the MENA region, with Brucella spp. identified as the predominant pathogens in reported cases, and it also identifies gaps in biosafety practices. Limitations include underreporting and English-only searches. No funding was received.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Hospital Infection is the editorially independent scientific publication of the Healthcare Infection Society. The aim of the Journal is to publish high quality research and information relating to infection prevention and control that is relevant to an international audience.
The Journal welcomes submissions that relate to all aspects of infection prevention and control in healthcare settings. This includes submissions that:
provide new insight into the epidemiology, surveillance, or prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings;
provide new insight into cleaning, disinfection and decontamination;
provide new insight into the design of healthcare premises;
describe novel aspects of outbreaks of infection;
throw light on techniques for effective antimicrobial stewardship;
describe novel techniques (laboratory-based or point of care) for the detection of infection or antimicrobial resistance in the healthcare setting, particularly if these can be used to facilitate infection prevention and control;
improve understanding of the motivations of safe healthcare behaviour, or describe techniques for achieving behavioural and cultural change;
improve understanding of the use of IT systems in infection surveillance and prevention and control.
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