Prevalence of Multidrug Resistant Bacteria in Refugees: A Prospective Case Control Study in an Obstetric Cohort

Antimicrobial resistance in the protracted Syrian conflict: halting a war in the war

The Syrian conflict has damaged key infrastructure and indirectly affected almost all parts of the Middle East and Europe, with no end in sight. Exhausting conditions created by the Syrian crisis and related massive displacement promote the emergence of numerous public health problems that fuel antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development. Here, we explore the current situation of the Syrian displaced population, and AMR inside Syria and among refugees in host countries. We then suggest a roadmap of selected key interventions and strategies to address the threat of AMR in the context of the Syrian crisis. These recommendations are intended to urge health policy-makers in governments and international health organizations to optimize and push for implementing an effective policy taking into consideration the current obstacles.

Vaginal colonization with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among women in labor in central Uganda: prevalence and associated factors

BACKGROUND

According to WHO ( CISMAC. Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child health), the antimicrobial resistant bacteria considered to be clinically most important for human health and earmarked for surveillance include extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant bacteria, methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and, macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B -resistant vancomycin-resistant (VRSA) Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). If these bacteria are carried in the female genital tract, they may be transmitted to the neonate causing local or systemic neonatal infections that can be difficult to treat with conventionally available antimicrobials. In order to develop effective treatment strategies, there is need for updated information about the prevalence of colonization with important antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to estimate the prevalence of vaginal colonization with potentially pathogenic and clinically important AMR bacteria among women in labour in Uganda and to identify factors associated with colonization.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study among HIV-1 and HIV-2 negative women in labour at three primary health care facilities in Uganda. Drug susceptibility testing was done using the disk diffusion method on bacterial isolates cultured from vaginal swabs. We calculated the prevalence of colonization with potentially pathogenic and clinically important AMR bacteria, in addition to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, defined as bacteria resistant to antibiotics from ≥ 3 antibiotic classes.

RESULTS

We found that 57 of the 1472 enrolled women (3.9% prevalence; 95% Confidence interval [CI] 3.0%, 5.1%) were colonized with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceace, 27 (1.8%; 95% CI 1.2%, 2.6%) were colonized with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and 85 (5.8%; 95% CI 4.6%, 7.1%) were colonized with MRSA. The prevalence of colonization with MDR bacteria was high (750/1472; 50.9%; 95% CI 48.4%, 53.5%). Women who were ≥ 30 years of age had higher odds of being colonized with MDR bacteria compared to women aged 20-24 years (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1, 2.2).

CONCLUSION

Most of the women included in our study were vaginally colonized with potentially pathogenic MDR and other clinically important AMR bacteria. The high prevalence of colonization with these bacteria is likely to further increase the incidence of difficult-to-treat neonatal sepsis.

Travel and the Spread of Drug-Resistant Bacteria

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The rise in antimicrobial resistance is an urgent public health threat which, in the absence of intervention, may result in a post-antibiotic era limiting the effectiveness of antibiotics to treat both common and serious infections. Globalization and human migration have profoundly contributed to the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. In this review, we summarize the recent literature on the importance of travelers in the spread of drug-resistant bacterial organisms. Our goal was to describe the importance of travel on a variety of clinically relevant drug-resistant bacterial organisms including extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella species, as well as other enteric infections.

RECENT FINDINGS

Travelers from high income countries, visiting low and middle income countries, frequently acquire drug-resistant bacteria, particularly extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The highest risk is associated with travel to the Indian subcontinent. Multidrug-resistant enteric infections in travelers from Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and Shigella spp. are increasing. Refugees, pilgrimages, and medical tourists are associated with considerable risk of multiple forms of drug resistance. This review highlights the importance of antimicrobial stewardship, infection control, and surveillance; particularly in low and middle income countries. International leadership with global coordination is vital in the battle against antimicrobial resistance.