Neuroergonomics of car driving: A critical meta-analysis of neuroimaging data on the human brain behind the wheel

Antimicrobial Resistance Associated with Mass Gatherings: A Systematic Review

Mass gatherings are associated with the spread of communicable diseases. Some studies have suggested that acquisition of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) may be associated with attendance at specific mass gatherings. This systematic review aimed to synthesise evidence on the association between attendance at mass gatherings and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and assess the prevalence of AMR at mass gatherings. A literature search of the Cochrane, Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases was performed. Studies were included if they reported original data, involved mass gatherings, and reported AMR results. Of 5559 titles screened, 44 studies met the inclusion criteria, most of which (n = 40) involved religious mass gatherings. The heterogeneity of the studies precluded a meta-analysis, hence a narrative synthesis by organism was conducted. A significant increase in antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was reported following Hajj, as was a rise in gastrointestinal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) or carbapenemase genes. Carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates non-susceptible to one or more antibiotics was also shown to increase from pre-Hajj to post-Hajj. There appears to be an association between attendance at mass gatherings and the acquisition of some AMR phenotypes and genotypes in some significant human pathogens, including E. coli and S. pneumoniae.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevalence in food-producing animals and food products in Saudi Arabia: A review

In Saudi Arabia, the occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in food and livestock represents a major public health hazard. The emergence of livestock-associated MRSA has heightened the risk of human infection with comparable virulence traits. The lack of information about MRSA transmission in our region hinders accurate risk assessment, despite its detection in food animals and retail foods. Adopting a One Health approach is essential for effectively combating MRSA in Saudi Arabia. This method unites actions in the human, animal, and environmental spheres. To combat MRSA contamination, surveillance measures need strengthening; interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals, veterinarians, and environmental scientists is crucial, and targeted interventions must be implemented in local food chains and animal populations. Through a holistic strategy, public health and sustainable food production in the region are protected. This review aims to improve public health interventions by increasing understanding of MRSA prevalence and related risks in local food chains and animal populations.

Genomic analysis of extensively drug resistant (XDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae high-risk clone ST14 co-harboring blaNDM and blaOXA-48 recovered from Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

This study presents a comprehensive genomic analysis of NDM and OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in the Western region of Saudi Arabia, traversed by tens of millions of Muslims from various countries annually. This significant influx of visitors invariably leads to the spread and diversity of MDR bacteria.

METHODS

Genome sequencing was performed using MiSeq system of 29 CPKP isolates that were NDM and OXA-48-positive isolated from nosocomial infections and demonstrated resistance to most antibiotics, including carbapenems.

RESULTS

WGS analysis showed that 12 (41.3%) isolates co-harbored blaOXA-48,blaCTX-M-15 and blaNDM genes. Notably, 16 (55.1%) isolates were identified as high-risk clone ST14, with 50% of these isolates co-harbored blaOXA-48, blaNDM and blaCTX-M-15 genes. All ST14 isolates were identified as capsular genotype KL2 and O1/O2v1 antigen with yersiniabactin locus ypt 14 carried by ICEKp5. The two isolates were identified as ST2096/KL64 hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKp) clone harboring several virulence factors, including the regulator of the mucoid phenotype rmpA2 and aerobactin (iuc-1). Interestingly, two of the hvKp ST383/KL30 isolates were resistant to all tested antimicrobials except colistin and tigecycline, and simultaneously carried numerous ESBLs and carbapenemase genes. These isolates also harbor several virulence factors such as rmpA1, rmpA2, carried on KpVP-1, and aerobactin (iuc-1).

CONCLUSION

this study provides insights into the spread and prevalence of high-risk clones of CPKP in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. The ST14 high-risk clone appears to be the predominant CPKP clone in this region, posing a significant threat to public health. This study also reports the presence of two globally disseminated hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKp) clones, namely ST2096 and ST383. Therefore, it is essential to improve surveillance and implement strict infection control measures in this region, which receives a substantial number of visitors to effectively monitor and reduce the spread of high-risk clones of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, including CPKP.

Clonal Flux and Spread of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Meat and Its Genetic Relatedness to Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Patients in Saudi Arabia

In this study, we investigated both meat-derived and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), exploring their genetic relatedness to patient-derived MRSA isolates in Saudi Arabia. We collected 250 meat samples and identified 53 S. aureus isolates, with 79% being methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and 21% being MRSA. Moreover, we included 80 clinically confirmed patient-derived MRSA isolates. We identified the most common S. aureus clone in both patients and retail meat. In meat, ST6 and ST97 were the most common clones in 55% of the MRSA isolates, and ST1153 and ST672 were the most common in 21% and 17% of the MSSA isolates. In patients, ST5 and ST6 were the predominant clones in 46% of the S. aureus isolates. CC5/ST5-SCCmecVc-t311 and CC361/ST672-SCCmecV-t3841 were common MRSA clones in both meat and patients. CC97 and CC361 clones were the second most prevalent S. aureus clones in meat and were relatively common in patients. Furthermore, we sequenced and characterized novel S. aureus strains ST8109, ST8110, and ST8111. The genomic similarities between meat- and patient-derived S. aureus isolates suggest that retail meat might be a reservoir for S.aureus and MRSA transmission. Therefore, a structured One Health approach is recommended for S. aureus dissemination, genetic characterization, antibiotic resistance, and impact on human health.

Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiling of Human Pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus Strains Using Whole Genome Sequencing and Genome-Scale Annotation Approaches

Staphylococcus species are major pathogens with increasing importance due to the rise in antibiotic resistance. Whole genome sequencing and genome-scale annotation are promising approaches to study the pathogenicity and dissemination of virulence factors in nosocomial methicillin-resistant and multidrug-resistant bacteria in intensive care units. Draft genome sequences of eight clinical S. aureus strains were assembled and annotated for the prediction of antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factors, and phylogenetic analysis. Most of the studied S. aureus strains displayed multi-resistance toward the tested drugs, reaching more than seven drugs up to 12 in isolate S22. The mecA gene was detected in three isolates (S14, S21, and S23), mecC was identified in S8 and S9, and blaZ was commonly identified in all isolates except strain S23. Additionally, two complete mobile genomic islands coding for methicillin resistance SCCmec Iva (2B) were identified in strains S21 and S23. Numerous antimicrobial resistance genes (norA, norC, MgrA, tet(45), APH(3')-IIIa, and AAC(6')-APH(2″)) were identified in chromosomes of different strains. Plasmid analysis revealed the presence of blaZ, tetK, and ermC in different plasmid types, located in gene cassettes containing plasmid replicons (rep) and insertion sequences (IS). Additionally, the aminoglycoside-resistant determinants were identified in S1 (APH(3')-IIIa), while AAC(6)-APH(2″) was detected in strains S8 and S14. The trimethoprim (dfrC) resistance gene was detected in S. aureus S21, and the fosfomycin (fosB) resistance gene was detected only in S. aureus S14. We also noted that S. aureus S1 belongs to ST1-t127, which has been reported as one of the most frequent human pathogen types. Additionally, we noted the presence of rare plasmid-mediated mecC-MRSA in some of our isolates.

A Sequalae of Lineage Divergence in Staphylococcus aureus from Community-Acquired Patterns in Youth to Hospital-Associated Profiles in Seniors Implied Age-Specific Host-Selection from a Common Ancestor

The rapidly changing epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus and evolution of strains with enhanced virulence is a significant issue in global healthcare. Hospital-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (HA-MRSA) lineages are being completely replaced by community-associated S. aureus (CA-MRSA) in many regions. Surveillance programs tracing the reservoirs and sources of infections are needed. Using molecular diagnostics, antibiograms, and patient demographics, we have examined the distributions of S. aureus in Ha'il hospitals. Out of 274 S. aureus isolates recovered from clinical specimens, 181 (66%, n = 181) were MRSA, some with HA-MRSA patterns across 26 antimicrobials with almost full resistances to all beta-lactams, while the majority were highly susceptible to all non-beta-lactams, indicating the CA-MRSA type. The rest of isolates (34%, n = 93) were methicillin-susceptible, penicillin-resistant MSSA lineages (90%). The MRSA in men was over 56% among total MRSA (n = 181) isolates and 37% of overall isolates (n = 102 of 274) compared to MSSA in total isolates (17.5%, n = 48), respectively. However, these were 28.4% (n = 78) and 12.4% (n = 34) for MRSA and MSSA infections in women, respectively. MRSA rates per age groups of 0-20, 21-50, and >50 years of age were 15% (n = 42), 17% (n = 48), and 32% (n = 89), respectively. However, MSSA in the same age groups were 13% (n = 35), 9% (n = 25), and 8% (n = 22). Interestingly, MRSA increased proportional to age, while MSSA concomitantly decreased, implying dominance of the latter ancestors early in life and then gradual replacement by MRSA. The dominance and seriousness of MRSA despite enormous efforts in place is potentially for the increased use of beta-lactams known to enhance virulence. The Intriguing prevalence of the CA-MRSA patterns in young otherwise healthy individuals replaced by MRSA later in seniors and the dominance of penicillin-resistant MSSA phenotypes imply three types of host- and age-specific evolutionary lineages. Thus, the decreasing MSSA trend by age with concomitant increase and sub-clonal differentiation into HA-MRSA in seniors and CA-MRSA in young and otherwise healthy patients strongly support the notion of subclinal emergences from a resident penicillin-resistant MSSA ancestor. Future vertical studies should focus on the surveillance of invasive CA-MRSA rates and phenotypes.

The Dissemination and Molecular Characterization of Clonal Complex 361 (CC361) Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Kuwait Hospitals

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) belonging to clonal complex 361 (CC361-MRSA) is rare among patients’ populations globally. However, CC361-MRSA has been isolated with an increasing trend among patients in Kuwait hospitals since 2010. This study investigated the molecular characteristics of CC361-MRSA isolated from patients in Kuwait hospitals in 2016–2018 to understand their genetic relatedness and virulence determinants. Of 5,223 MRSA isolates investigated by DNA microarray, 182 (3.4%) isolates obtained in 2016 (N = 55), 2017 (N = 56), and 2018 (N = 71) were identified as CC361-MRSA. The CC361-MRSA isolates were analyzed further using antibiogram, spa typing and multi locus sequence typing (MLST). Most of the isolates were resistant to fusidic acid (64.8%), kanamycin (43.4%), erythromycin (36.3%), and clindamycin (14.3%) encoded by fusC, aphA3, and erm(B)/erm(C) respectively. Nine isolates (4.9%) were resistant to linezolid mediated by cfr. The isolates belonged to 22 spa types with t3841 (N = 113), t315 (N = 16), t1309 (N = 14), and t3175 (N = 5) constituting 81.3% of the spa types, four genotypes (strain types), CC361-MRSA-[V/VT + fus] (N = 112), CC361-MRSA-IV, WA MRSA-29 (N = 36), CC361-MRSA-V, WA MRSA-70/110 (N = 33) and CC361-MRSA-[V + fus] variant (N = 1). MLST conducted on 69 representative isolates yielded two sequence types: ST361 (11/69) and ST672 (58/69). All CC361-MRSA isolates were positive for cap8, agr1, and the enterotoxin egc gene cluster (seg, sei, selm, seln, selo, and selu). The tst1 was detected in 19 isolates. The immune evasion cluster (IEC) genes type B (scn, chp, and sak) and type E (scn and sak) were detected in 20 and 152 isolates, respectively. The CC361-MRSA circulating in Kuwait hospitals consisted of two closely related sequence types, ST361 and ST672 with ST672-MRSA [V/VT + fus] as the dominant genotype. The dissemination of these newly emerged clones and the emergence of linezolid resistance limits therapeutic options, as well as present significant challenges for the control of MRSA infections in Kuwait hospitals.

Degree of bacterial contamination in barbershops using hair dryers in Riyadh

Barbershops provide areas for the growth and transfer of bacterial pathogens and thereby have an impact on public health. Barbershops are ideal places for the interactive spread of infections, including community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Here, the work determines the degree of bacterial contamination of hair dryers used in barbershops. The samples were collected in the city of Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 2019. Significant bacterial contamination was seen, with total bacterial count increasing when the hair dryers were run for 20 instead of 10 s. The study shows a high level of bacterial contamination barbershops using hair dryers, with MRSA being isolated in some. The results suggest that high quality filters should be used inside hair dryers and filters, and theses should be cleaned frequently.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus development in intensive care patients. A case-control study

Objectives:

To determine the factors associated with the development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), hospital stay and mortality, and early versus late MRSA infection.

Methods:

Cases (n=44) were intensive care unit (ICU) patients admitted to King Fahd Specialist Hospital, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia between 2015 and 2019 who developed MRSA during their hospital stay. Controls (n=48) were patients from the same place and period who did not develop MRSA. Data were abstracted from hospital records.

Results:

Admission with sepsis (case: 46% vs. control: 2%, p<0.001) and having at least one comorbid condition (case: 95% vs. control: 46%, p<0.001) were significantly associated with the development of MRSA. Age (mean ± SD: case: 65±18, control: 64±18, p=0.7) and gender (% male, case: 52%, control: 56%, p=0.70) were not associated with the development of MRSA. Approximately 73% of all MRSA cases developed within the first 2 weeks of admission. Among the early cases, 44% died during their ICU stay; the corresponding percentage among the late cases was 42% (p=0.69). There was no difference between early and late MRSA cases in terms of non-sepsis admissions (50% vs. 67%, p=0.32) or comorbid status (at least one: 97% vs. 92%, p=0.17).

Conclusion:

Sepsis and comorbid conditions were significant risk factors for MRSA development among hospital patients.

The extreme drug resistance (XDR) Staphylococcus aureus strains among patients: A retrospective study

The objective of the present work was to observe and profile various antibiotic resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and highlight the need for continuous surveillance. Data regarding antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains isolated and identified at the Medical Microbiology Department, King Khalid Hospital, Riyadh was obtained. Bacterial isolates were collected from several sites of infections in patients and an evaluation of susceptibility were carried out using a fully automated Vitek2 system. Relative frequency (%), odds ratios and Ward's minimum variance were calculated. The results showed that wounds were a source of more than 40% of the S. aureus (MRSA) strains that have ability to resist methicillin, and more than 45% of the methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (non-MRSA) strains. 40% of the isolates were MRSA (N = 251), and all MRSA strains were sensitive to vancomycin, daptomycin, teicoplanin, tigecycline, nitrofurantoin, and itraconazole while all non-MRSA (N = 338) strains were sensitive to vancomycin, cefoxitin, daptomycin, gentamicin, oxacillin, teicoplanin, tigecycline, and mupirocin. Strength of association between antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains and source of samples (site of infection) was established. The study concluded that S. aureus strains had developed resistance towards 20 (for non-MRSA) and 22 (for MRSA) of the antibiotics tested. All MRSA strains were non-sensitive to amoxicillin/clavulanate, ampicillin cefoxitin, cefazolin, imipenem, oxacillin, and penicillin.

Dissemination of VIM-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with high-risk clone ST654 in a tertiary and quaternary hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

To the best of our knowledge, no molecular surveillance that has been conducted to identify the most common clones of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) in western Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify genetic diversity and the most common CRPA clones in this region. Thirty-five CRPA isolates were collected from a tertiary and quaternary hospital in Makkah. bla _VIM was the most common carbapenemase-encoding gene (11 CRPA isolates), while bla_GES was reported in only three isolates. CRPA isolates were subjected to multi- locus sequence typing and showed relatively high genetic diversity with 20 sequence types. Approximately one-third (31.4%) of the CRPA isolates belonged to two high-risk clones (ST235 and ST654). This troublesome finding raises serious concerns about the emergence and further dissemination of CRPA high-risk clones in local hospitals and suggest that surveillance programs should be established in this region to monitor and control clonal dissemination of all multidrug resistant bacteria, including CRPA.