Acinetobacter species, particularly those within Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-A. baumannii complex (ACB complex), have emerged as clinically relevant pathogens in hospital environments worldwide. Early and quick detection and identification of Acinetobacter infections is challenging, and traditional culture and biochemical methods may not achieve adequate levels of speciation. Moreover, currently available techniques to identify and differentiate closely related Acinetobacter species are insufficient. The objective of this review is to recapitulate the current evolution in phenotypic and automated techniques used to identify the ACB complex. Compared with other automated or semiautomated systems of bacterial identification, matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) demonstrates a high level of Acinetobacter species identification and discrimination, including newly discovered species A. seifertii and A. dijkshoorniae.
This study is a cross-sectional, observational analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, to understand the progression of the disease across the continent. Published data on COVID-19 from 20 January 2020 to 21 June 2021 were obtained and analyzed. Case fatality ratios, as well as case growth rates and other indices were computed. On 21 June 2021, a total of 178,210,532 confirmed cases and 3,865,978 deaths had been recorded worldwide. While the Americas recorded the highest number of cases, Southern Africa recorded the majority of African cases. Fatality rate since from 20 February 2020 to 21 June 2021 was highest in the Americas (2.63%) and low in the South Eastern Asia region (1.39%), globally increasing from 2.17% at the end of January to 6.36% in May 2020 and decreasing to a range between 2.14% to 2.30% since January 2021. In Africa, the infection rate per 100,000 persons was up to 3090.18, while deaths per 100,000 and case fatality ratio were as high as 119.64 and 5.72%, respectively, among the 20 most-affected countries. The testing rate per million population was highest in Botswana (512,547.08). Fatality appears to be increasing in some regions of Africa. The rate of infection and fatality in Africa could still likely take an upward turn. Strict control measures are required, considering the continent's weak healthcare systems.