Evolving trends among Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a 12-year retrospective study from the United Arab Emirates.

Introduction: Pseudomonas is a group of ubiquitous non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria (NFGNB). Of the several species associated with humans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) can acclimate to diverse environments. The global frequency of PA infections is rising and is complicated by this organism's high intrinsic and acquired resistance to several clinically relevant antibiotics. Data on the epidemiology, levels, and trends of antimicrobial resistance of PA in clinical settings in the MENA/GCC region is scarce. Methods: A retrospective 12-year analysis of 56,618 non-duplicate diagnostic Pseudomonas spp. from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was conducted. Data was generated at 317 surveillance sites by routine patient care during 2010-2021, collected by trained personnel and reported by participating surveillance sites to the UAE National antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Surveillance program. Data analysis was conducted with WHONET (https://whonet.org/). Results: Among the total isolates (N = 56,618), the majority were PA (95.6%). Data on nationality revealed 44.1% were UAE nationals. Most isolates were from soft tissue (55.7%), followed by respiratory tract (26.7%). PA was more commonly found among inpatients than among outpatients, followed by ICUs. PA showed a horizontal trend for resistance to fluoroquinolones, 3rd- and 4th-generation cephalosporins, and decreasing trends of resistance for aminoglycosides and meropenem. The highest percentage of multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates was reported in 2011 at 35.6%. As an overall trend, the percentage of MDR, extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and possible pandrug-resistant (PDR) isolates generally declined over the study period. Carbapenem-resistant PA (CRPA) were associated with a higher mortality (RR: 2.7), increased admission to ICU (RR: 2.3), and increased length of stay (LOS) (12 excess inpatient days per case), as compared to carbapenem-susceptible PA (CSPA). Conclusion: The resistance trends in Pseudomonas species in the UAE indicated a decline in AMR and in percentages of Pseudomonas isolates with MDR and XDR profiles. The sustained Pseudomonas spp. circulation particularly in the hospital settings highlights the importance of surveillance techniques, infection control strategies, and stewardship to limit the continued dissemination. This data also shows that CRPA are associated with higher mortality, increased ICU admission rates, and a longer hospitalization, thus higher costs due to increased number of in-hospital and ICU days.

Epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance trends of Acinetobacter species in the United Arab Emirates: a retrospective analysis of 12 years of national AMR surveillance data.

Introduction: Acinetobacter spp., in particular A. baumannii, are opportunistic pathogens linked to nosocomial pneumonia (particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia), central-line catheter-associated blood stream infections, meningitis, urinary tract infections, surgical-site infections, and other types of wound infections. A. baumannii is able to acquire or upregulate various resistance determinants, making it frequently multidrug-resistant, and contributing to increased mortality and morbidity. Data on the epidemiology, levels, and trends of antimicrobial resistance of Acinetobacter spp. in clinical settings is scarce in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions. Methods: A retrospective 12-year analysis of 17,564 non-duplicate diagnostic Acinetobacter spp. isolates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was conducted. Data was generated at 317 surveillance sites by routine patient care during 2010-2021, collected by trained personnel and reported by participating surveillance sites to the UAE National AMR Surveillance program. Data analysis was conducted with WHONET. Results: Species belonging to the A. calcoaceticus-baumannii complex were mostly reported (86.7%). They were most commonly isolated from urine (32.9%), sputum (29.0%), and soft tissue (25.1%). Resistance trends to antibiotics from different classes during the surveillance period showed a decreasing trend. Specifically, there was a significant decrease in resistance to imipenem, meropenem, and amikacin. Resistance was lowest among Acinetobacter species to both colistin and tigecycline. The percentages of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and possibly extensively drug-resistant (XDR) isolates was reduced by almost half between the beginning of the study in 2010 and its culmination in 2021. Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. (CRAB) was associated with a higher mortality (RR: 5.7), a higher admission to ICU (RR 3.3), and an increased length of stay (LOS; 13 excess inpatient days per CRAB case), as compared to Carbapenem-susceptible Acinetobacter spp. Conclusion: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. are associated with poorer clinical outcomes, and higher associated costs, as compared to carbapenem-susceptible Acinetobacter spp. A decreasing trend of MDR Acinetobacter spp., as well as resistance to all antibiotic classes under surveillance was observed during 2010 to 2021. Further studies are needed to explore the reasons and underlying factors leading to this remarkable decrease of resistance over time.

CTX-M-15 Positive Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Outbreak in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Maternity Hospital in Ha'il, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively characterize E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates obtained from neonates during a suspected NICU outbreak of infection in Ha'il, Saudi Arabia during a period of one month (April 2014). METHODS: Antibiotic susceptibility patterns, molecular characterization for antibiotic-resistant genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M), and genotyping by PFGE and MLST were performed. RESULTS: A total of 24 E. coli and 48 K. pneumoniae isolates were cultured from neonates that had been admitted to the NICU. Among E. coli, the majority of isolates (19/24) were ESBL-positive and all of these nineteen (100%) harbored the CTX-M-15 gene. A total of 15% (3/19) were co-producers of CTX-M-15 and SHV-12, and 68.4% (13/19) were co-producers of CTX-M-15 and TEM-1. Among K. pneumoniae isolates, 87.5% (42/48) were ESBL positive with 92.85% (39/42) of these isolates containing the CTX-M-15 gene. A total of 97% (38/39) of K. pneumoniae were co-producers of CTX-M-15 and SHV-12, and 88% (37/42) were positive for TEM-1. Furthermore, 85.7% (36/42) K. pneumoniae were co-producers of CTX-M-15 and TEM-1. The majority of E. coli isolates (18/19 isolates) were grouped into two genetic clusters by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and all the isolates were found to be ST-131 type. In contrast, K. pneumoniae (31/42) isolates belonged to a single genotypic lineage, and all (100%) isolates belonged to the ST-14 type. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of CTX-M-15-positive, ESBL E. coli, and K. pneumoniae isolates recovered from an outbreak in an NICU in Ha'il, Saudi Arabia. It is alarming to note the high rate of outbreak isolates with simultaneous production of CTX-M-15 and SHV-12 conferring high-level resistance to oxyimino-cephalosporins.

Effect of Synergistic Action of Bovine Lactoferrin with Antibiotics on Drug Resistant Bacterial Pathogens.

Background and Objectives: The multidrug resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogenic infection is one of the chief worldwide public health threat to humanity. The development of novel antibiotics against MDR Gram negative bacteria has reduced over the last half century. Research is in progress regarding the treatment strategies that could be engaged in combination with antibiotics to extend the duration of these life-saving antibacterial agents. The current study was therefore planned to assess the synergistic effects of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) in combination with different antibiotics that are conventionally used. This synergism would provide a newer therapeutic choice against MDR pathogens. LF is present in mucosal secretions, vastly in milk. LF is considered an important constituent in host defense. In previous reports, LF has been co-administered as a combination antibiotic therapy. Materials and Methods: This study included synergistic (LF + appropriate antibiotic) exposure against 147 locally encountered bacterial pathogens, which were completely characterized strains. The anti-biofilm effects and the outcome of bLF on minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antibacterials on clinical MDR bacterial pathogens were determined by standard techniques. Results: In our study, synergism of bLF with antibacterial agents were reproducible and found to be significant. LF on its own had an important effect of inhibiting the biofilm production of some significant bacterial pathogens. Conclusion: The results of this study provides useful data on the antibacterial potential of the combination of LF with antibiotics against drug resistant pathogens.

Whole genome sequence analysis of NDM-1, CMY-4, and SHV-12 coproducing Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolated from a case of fatal burn wound infection.

Salmonella species are frequently associated with gastrointestinal infections such as diarrhea. However, extraintestinal Salmonella infections, including burn infections, have been described. Here, we report the first case of a carbapenem-resistant and metallo-ß-lactamase (New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase), extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (SHV-12), and AmpC ß-lactamase (CMY-4) coproducing Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from a fatal case of burn wound infection. The publication highlights the necessity for the rational use of antibiotics (particularly the rational use of last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems) in hospitals and burn units, as well as the need for systematic screening of Salmonella spp. (including Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium) for resistance to carbapenem antibiotics.

A case report and literature review of Fanconi Anemia (FA) diagnosed by genetic testing.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genetically heterogeneous rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital malformations, hematological problems and predisposition to malignancies. The genes that have been found to be mutated in FA patients are called FANC. To date 16 distinct FANC genes have been reported. Among these, mutations in FANCA are the most frequent among FA patients worldwide which account for 60- 65%. In this study, a nine years old male child was brought to our hospital one year ago for opinion and advice. He was the third child born to consanguineous parents. The mutation analyses were performed for proband, parents, elder sibling and the relatives [maternal aunt and maternal aunt's son (cousin)]. Molecular genetic testing [targeted next-generation sequencing (MiSeq, Illumina method)] was performed by mutation analysis in 15 genes involved. Entire coding exons and their flanking regions of the genes were analysed. Sanger sequencing [(ABI 3730 analyzer by Applied Biosystems)] was performed using primers specific for 43 coding exons of the FANCA gene. A novel splice site mutation, c.3066 + 1G > T, (IVS31 + 1G > T), homozygote was detected by sequencing in the patient. The above sequence variant was identified in heterozygous state in his parents. Further, the above sequence variant was not identified in other family members (elder sibling, maternal aunt and cousin). It is concluded that genetic study should be done if possible in all the cases of suspected FA, including siblings, parents and close blood relatives. It will help us to plan appropriate treatment and also to select suitable donor for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and to plan for genetic counseling. In addition to the case report, the main focus of this manuscript was to review literature on role of FANCA gene in FA since large number of FANCA mutations and polymorphisms have been identified.

Determination of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella spp.

Infections with Salmonella are an important public health problem worldwide. Salmonella are one of the most common causes of food-borne illness in humans. There are many types of Salmonella but they can be divided into two broad categories: those that cause typhoid and those that do not. The typhoidal Salmonella (TS), such as S. enterica subsp. enterica serovars Typhi and S. Paratyphi only colonize humans and are usually acquired by the consumption of food or water contaminated with human fecal material. The much broader group of non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) usually results from improperly handled food that has been contaminated by animal or human fecal material. Antimicrobials are critical to the successful outcome of invasive Salmonella infections and enteric fever. Due to resistance to the older antimicrobials, ciprofloxacin [fluoroquinolone (FQ)] has become the first-line drug for treatment. Nevertheless, switch to FQ has led to a subsequent increase in the occurrence of salmonellae resistant to this antimicrobial agent. The exact mechanism of this FQ resistance is not fully understood. FQ resistance has driven the use of third-generation cephalosporins and azithromycin. However, there are sporadic worldwide reports of high level resistance to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins (such as ceftriaxone) in TS and in NTS it has been recognized since 1988 and are increasing in prevalence worldwide. Already there are rare reports of azithromycin resistance leading to treatment failure. Spread of such resistance would further greatly limit the available therapeutic options, and leave us with only the reserve antimicrobials such as carbapenem and tigecycline as possible treatment options. Here, we describe the methods involved in the genotypic characterization of antimicrobial resistance in clinical isolates of salmonellae.

Analysis of mechanisms involved in reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin in Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhi and Paratyphi A isolates from travellers to Southeast Asia.

Owing to multidrug resistance, quinolones and third-generation cephalosporins are currently used as key antibiotics to combat Salmonella organisms. Therapy failure due to reduced ciprofloxacin susceptibility has been reported in endemic areas, but also in imported disease. Different bacterial resistance mechanisms may result in reduced ciprofloxacin susceptibility. In this study, the presence and expression of different resistance mechanisms resulting in reduced minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for ciprofloxacin were evaluated in 23 blood-culture-derived Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhi and Paratyphi A organisms from ill-returned travellers to Asia. The presence of mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of the gyrA gene as well as an activated efflux pump and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes was determined. Resistance selection during therapy and the clonal relatedness of all isolates were established. Efflux pump inhibition did not appear to affect the MICs of ciprofloxacin and activity of the efflux pump appeared to be specific for nalidixic acid. Repeated exposure of the isolates to ciprofloxacin did not result in a significant increase in the MICs for ciprofloxacin. Repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) profiles identified five different genotypes, but no correlation with resistance was observed. However, a significant relation was found with geographic region; reduced ciprofloxacin susceptibility was only found in travellers returning from India and Pakistan. All isolates with reduced ciprofloxacin susceptibility had a mutation at position 83 in the QRDR region of the gyrA gene. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance was not found. These findings confirm that the reduced ciprofloxacin MIC in S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A is solely due to an amino acid substitution in the QRDR 'cluster' of the gyrA gene.