Multidrug resistance pattern of Acinetobacter species isolated from clinical specimens referred to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute: 2014 to 2018 trend anaylsis

Correction: Multidrug resistance pattern of Acinetobacter species isolated from clinical specimens referred to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute: 2014 to 2018 trend anaylsis

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250896.].

An Ancient Drug for a Modern Era: Minocycline for the Treatment of Multi-Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

INTRODUCTION

Infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii are a major cause of health concerns in the hospital setting. Moreover, the presence of extreme drug resistance in A. baumannii has made the scenario more challenging due to limited treatment options thereby encouraging the researchers to explore the existing antimicrobial agents to combat the infections caused by them. This study focuses on the susceptibility of multi-drug-resistant A. baumannii (MDR-AB) strains to minocycline and also to colistin.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to June 2023. One hundred isolates of​​​​​​ A. baumannii ​​​obtained from various clinical samples were sent to Central Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chrompet, Chennai, India. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, 2022. For the standard antibiotics, the disc diffusion method was performed. For minocycline and colistin, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using an epsilometer strip (E-strip) test.

RESULTS

In this study, 100 isolates of A. baumannii were obtained, and 83% of the isolates were multi-drug-resistant. Among the MDR-AB, 50 (60%) were susceptible to minocycline and 40 (48%) were susceptible to colistin. Out of the 40 colistin-susceptible A. baumannii strains, 29 (73%) were susceptible to minocycline with a statistically significant P-value of <0.05. Among the 43 colistin-resistant A. baumannii strains, 21 (53%) were susceptible to minocycline with a statistically significant P-value of <0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

When taking into account the expense of treating carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria, colistin and minocycline can be used as an alternative drug as they have fewer side effects and are more affordable. Minocycline can be used as an alternative to colistin because it is feasible to convert from an injectable to an oral formulation.

A retrospective analysis of the 5-year trends of antimicrobial resistance in gram-negative bacterial isolates from an intensive care unit at a tertiary care hospital

Background

Intensive care units (ICUs) in developing countries constitute a high risk for patients acquiring infection by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). The rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an increasing range of infections. The present study analyzed the local trends of AMR in Gram-negative isolates of ICU patients from a tertiary care facility in North India.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted over 5 years (January 2018-December 2022). All bacterial isolates from patients admitted to ICU during the study period were included in the study, and their AMR pattern was analyzed. In addition, sensitivity trends of different antimicrobials against the common Gram-negative bacteria were analyzed, and AMR trends were analyzed over the study period.

Results

Klebsiella spp. was the most common isolate in samples received from ICU. A rise of carbapenem-resistant microorganisms was observed over the study period. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. showed around 10% and a 17% decrease in susceptibility to carbapenems, respectively. In contrast, a marked 29% decrease in sensitivity to carbapenems was observed in Acinetobacter spp.

Conclusion

The inception of integrated stewardship measures has shown a rising trend in susceptibility and is the need of the hour to prevent the spread of MDROs. Surveillance studies help us understand the impact of AMR in hospitals and help plan prevention programs.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles impact the expression of the genes involved in toxin-antitoxin systems in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the expression of genes involved in toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems in multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii. Seventy clinical isolates of A. baumannii were collected from variuos clinical samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was determined by disk diffusion. Type II TA system-related genes including GNAT, XRE-like, hipA, hipB, hicA, hicB were screened using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ZnO-NPs prepared and characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. MIC of ZnO-NPs of A. baumannii isolates was performed using the microdilution method. The expression of type II TA systems-related genes were assessed with and without exposure to ZnO-NPs using real-time PCR. The highest rate of resistance and sensitivity was observed against cefepime (77.14%), and ampicillin/sulbactam (42.85%), respectively. All A. baumannii isolates were considered as MDR. In this study, three TA loci were identified for A. baumannii including GNAT/XRE-like, HicA/HicB, and HipA/HipB and their prevalence was 100%, 42%, and 27.1%, respectively. There was no significant relationship between the prevalence of these systems and the origin of A. baumannii. Our data showed significant correlations between the presence of HicA/HicB system and resistance to ceftazidime, meropenem, imipenem, and cefepime (p < 0.05), and the presence of HipA/HipB system and resistance to ceftazidime, meropenem, imipenem, and cefepime (p < 0.05). In presence of ZnO-NPs, the expression of all studied genes decreased. GNAT and hicB showed the highest and lowest expression changes by 2.4 folds (p < 0.001) and 1.3 folds (p < 0.05), respectively. This study demonstrates the promising potential of nanoparticles to impact the expression of the genes involved in TA Systems. So, the application of ZnO-NPs may be helpful to design target-based strategies towards MDRs pathogens for empowered clinical applications by microbiologists and nanotechnologists.

Metagenomic Insight into Microbiome and Antibiotic Resistance Genes of High Clinical Concern in Urban and Rural Hospital Wastewater of Northern India Origin: a Major Reservoir of Antimicrobial Resistance

India is one of the largest consumers and producers of antibiotics and a hot spot for the emergence and proliferation of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Indian hospital wastewater (HWW) accumulates ARGs from source hospitals and often merges with urban wastewater, with the potential for environmental and human contamination. Despite its putative clinical importance, there is a lack of high-resolution resistome profiling of Indian hospital wastewater, with most studies either relying on conventional PCR-biased techniques or being limited to one city. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed antibiotic resistomes of wastewater from six Indian hospitals distributed in rural and urban areas of northern India through shotgun metagenomics. Our study revealed the predominance of ARGs against aminoglycoside, macrolide, carbapenem, trimethoprim, and sulfonamide antibiotics in all the samples through both read-based analysis and assembly-based analysis. We detected the mobile colistin resistance gene mcr-5.1 for the first time in Indian hospital sewage. blaNDM-1 was present in 4 out of 6 samples and was carried by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in HWW-2, Klebsiella pneumoniae in HWW-4 and HWW-6, and Acinetobacter baumanii in HWW-5. Most ARGs were plasmid-mediated and hosted by Proteobacteria. We identified virulence factors and transposable elements flanking the ARGs, highlighting the role of horizontal gene transmission of ARGs. IMPORTANCE There is a paucity of research on detailed antibiotic resistome and microbiome diversity of Indian hospital wastewater. This study reports the predominance of clinically concerning ARGs such as the beta-lactamases blaNDM and blaOXA and the colistin resistance gene mcr and their association with the microbiome in six different Indian hospital wastewaters of both urban and rural origin. The abundance of plasmid-mediated ARGs and virulence factors calls for urgent AMR crisis management. The lack of proper wastewater management strategies meeting international standards and open drainage systems further complicates the problem of containing the ARGs at these hospitals. This metagenomic study presents the current AMR profile propagating in hospital settings in India and can be used as a reference for future surveillance and risk management of ARGs in Indian hospitals.

Prevalence and Trends of Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter Species Isolated from Clinical Specimens at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Retrospective Analysis

Purpose

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter species and P. aeruginosa are the leading cause of nosocomial infections. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility profile, and trends of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species isolated from clinical specimens.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study included data from Ethiopian Public Health Institute from 2017 to 2021. BD phoenix M50, Vitek 2 compact, and conventional identification methods were used to identify the organisms. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion, BD phoenix M50, and Vitek 2 compact methods were used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolates. Chi-square for linear trends using Epi Info was employed to test the significance of carbapenem resistance trends over time. The p-values of ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Following data cleaning, 7110 reports were used. Out of this, (N=185, 2.6%) and (N=142, 2%), Acinetobacter species and P. aeruginosa were isolated, respectively. Twenty-four Acinetobacter species and fourteen P. aeruginosa species were omitted because carbapenem antimicrobial agents were not tested for them. The overall prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter species and P. aeruginosa were 61% and 22%, respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter species increased significantly from 50% in 2017 to 76.2% in 2021 (p=0.013). The trend of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa was fluctuating (p=0.99). Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter had a lower resistance rate to amikacin (44%) and tobramycin (55%); similarly, carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa had a lower resistance rate to amikacin (27%) and tobramycin (47%).

Conclusion

This study revealed a high prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter species and P. aeruginosa, both of which showed better sensitivity to amikacin and tobramycin. Furthermore, Acinetobacter species showed a statistically significant increasing trend in carbapenem resistance.

Epidemiology and Multidrug Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumanni Isolated from Clinical Samples in Ethiopia

Background

A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa are important nosocomial pathogens in health-care settings. Both are intrinsically resistant to many drugs and are able to become resistant to the virtually most antimicrobial agents. An increasing prevalence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant isolates has been reported in many countries.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional five-year retrospective study was conducted to assess the antimicrobial resistance trend of P. aeruginosa and A. baumani. 893 A. baumani and 729 P. aeruginosa isolates were included in the study. Conventional method was used for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method. The isolates were from suspected bloodstream infections, wound infections, urinary tract, or surgical site nosocomial infections. Socio-demographic and other variables of interest were collected using a structured check list from a patient record data. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 1622 A. baumanii and P. aeruginosa were isolated from various clinical specimens recorded from the year 2017-2021. Out of which A. baumanni was 893 (60.6%) and P. aeruginosa was 729 (39.4%). Blood was the major source of the isolates (18.3%), followed by urine (16%), and tracheal aspirate (10.6%). Antimicrobial resistance among A. baumanni over the five years were; ampicillin (86% to 92%), ceftriaxone (66.7% to 82.2%), and ciprofloxacin (58.5% to 66.7%). In P. aeruginosa a significant increase in resistance was seen from 2017 to 2021 to Amoxicillin-clavulanate (74.1% to 84.2%), chloramphenicol (62% to 81.9%), and gentamicin (40% to 44.8%).

Conclusion

A five-year antimicrobial resistance trend analysis of A. baumanni and P. aeruginosa showed increasing multi drug resistance and resistance to highly potent antimicrobial agents in Ethiopia. It should be addressed with infection control measures, surveillance, and alternative new therapeutic strategies to circumvent the spread of multi-drug resistance.

Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. from clinical samples at Jimma medical center, Ethiopia

Introduction

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) can cause difficult-to-treat infections. We characterized molecular epidemiology of ceftazidime-resistant P. aeruginosa and carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii at a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia.

Materials and methods

Non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli (n = 80) isolated from admitted patients were subjected for species identification by MALDI-TOF. Pseudomonas species resistant to ceftazidime or meropenem, and Acinetobacter species resistant to meropenem, or imipenem were selected for whole genome sequencing. DNA extracted with EZ1 Advanced XL instrument (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) was sequenced on Illumina (HiSeq2500) using libraries prepared by NEXTRA-kits (Illumina). Raw reads were assembled using SPAdes 3.13.0, and assembled genomes were used to query databases for resistome profile and sequence types.

Result

Among Pseudomonas species isolated, 31.7% (13/41), and 7.3% (3/41) were non-susceptible to ceftazidime, and meropenem, respectively. Carbapenem-resistance was 56.4% (22/39) among Acinetobacter species. Moreover, 92% (12/13) of Pseudomonas species non-susceptible to ceftazidime and/or meropenem, and 89.4% (17/19) of Acinetobacter species encoded multiple resistance genes for at least three classes of antimicrobials. The prevalent β - lactamase genes were bla_OXA–486 (53.8%, 7/13), bla_CTX–M–15 (23.0%, 3/13) among Pseudomonas, and bla_GES–11 (57.8%, 11/19) among Acinetobacter. The bla_OXA–51-like β - lactamase, bla_OXA–69 (63.1%, 12/19) was the most prevalent carbapenemase gene among Acinetobacter isolates. Single isolates from both P. aeruginosa, and A. baumannii were detected with the bla_NDM–1. Sequence type (ST)1 A. baumannii and ST274 P. aeruginosa were the prevalent sequence types. A cgMLST analysis of the ST1 A. baumannii isolates showed that they were closely related and belonged to the international clonal complex one (ICC1). Similarly, ST274 P. aeruginosa isolates were clonally related.

Conclusion

The prevalence of MDR isolates of Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter spp. was high. A. baumannii isolates were clonally spreading in the admission wards at the hospital. Emergence of bla_NDM–1 in the intensive care, and surgical wards of the hospital is a severe threat that requires urgent intervention.

Antimicrobial Resistance Rates and Surveillance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Where Are We Now?

Introduction

Although antimicrobials have traditionally been used to treat infections and improve health outcomes, resistance to commonly used antimicrobials has posed a major challenge. An estimated 700,000 deaths occur globally every year as a result of infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) also contributes directly to the decline in the global economy. In 2019, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) had the highest mortality rate (23.5 deaths per 100,000) attributable to AMR compared to other regions.

Methods

We searched PubMed for articles relevant to AMR in pathogens in the WHO-GLASS list and in other infections of local importance in SSA. In this review, we focused on AMR rates and surveillance of AMR for these priority pathogens and some of the most encountered pathogens of public health significance. In addition, we reviewed the implementation of national action plans to mitigate against AMR in countries in SSA.

Results and Discussion

The SSA region is disproportionately affected by AMR, in part owing to the prevailing high levels of poverty, which result in a high burden of infectious diseases, poor regulation of antimicrobial use, and a lack of alternatives to ineffective antimicrobials. The global action plan as a strategy for prevention and combating AMR has been adopted by most countries, but fewer countries are able to fully implement country-specific action plans, and several challenges exist in many settings.

Conclusion

A concerted One Health approach will be required to ramp up implementation of action plans in the region. In addition to AMR surveillance, effective implementation of infection prevention and control, water, sanitation, and hygiene, and antimicrobial stewardship programs will be key cost-effective strategies in helping to tackle AMR.

Emergence of Highly Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Patients with Infections Admitted to Public Hospitals in Southwest Iran

BACKGROUND

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms causing infections is increasing worldwide and becoming more serious in developing countries. Among those, Acinetobacter species are becoming prominent.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the rate of antimicrobial resistance of the bacteria causing infections, Acinetobacter species in particular, in local public hospitals in Firuzabad, Fars province, Iran.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was performed on different clinical specimens collected from patients who were suspected of infections hospitalized from March 2016 to March 2019 in local hospitals of Firuzabad, Fars province, Iran. The bacterial isolates were identified following standard microbiological methods. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines were used to identify the antibiotic susceptibility of these isolates.

RESULTS

Overall, 1778 bacterial etiologies were isolated from 1533 patients diagnosed with infection. Of these, 1401 (78.8%) were Gram-negative and the remaining were Gram-positive bacteria. Escherichia coli (37.1%), Klebsiella spp. (13.9%), and Acinetobacter species (10.4%) were the most common isolated bacteria. Antibiotic sensitivity testing in this study showed a high resistance rate of Acinetobacter species to all antibiotics tested except Colistin. During the study period, the rate of infection with highly multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter species increased from 7.2% to 13.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the emergence of MDR bacterial agents such as Acinetobacter species as a new threat in our region. However, a decrease in the rate of infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was noticeable.