Tracking Multidrug Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria in Alexandria, Egypt (2020–2023)
Author Information
Author(s): Braun Sascha D., Rezk Shahinda, Brandt Christian, Reinicke Martin, Diezel Celia, Müller Elke, Frankenfeld Katrin, Krähmer Domenique, Monecke Stefan, Ehricht Ralf
Primary Institution: Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI)
Hypothesis
This study aims to develop a combined epidemiological surveillance tool to track and analyze carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli strains in Egypt.
Conclusion
The study establishes the utility of combining microarray technology, next-generation sequencing, and real-time data visualization for the surveillance of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.
Supporting Evidence
- 72.09% of the isolates carried the blaNDM-5 gene.
- The microarray method demonstrated 92.9% diagnostic sensitivity and 87.7% diagnostic specificity compared to whole-genome sequencing.
- Phenotypic resistance correlated strongly with next-generation sequencing genotypic data, achieving 95.6% sensitivity and 95.2% specificity.
- Carbapenemase genes were detected in all isolates.
Takeaway
The researchers looked at bacteria that resist many antibiotics in Egypt and found a lot of them in kids, showing that we need better ways to track and fight these germs.
Methodology
The study analyzed 43 E. coli isolates using nanopore sequencing, microarray analysis, and the VITEK2 system for phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing.
Limitations
The study focused on a limited number of strains and may not represent the full diversity of resistance mechanisms in the region.
Participant Demographics
The isolates were collected from pediatric and adult patients in hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt, with ages ranging from 3 days to 82 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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