Seroprevalence of camel brucellosis in Qatar

Brucellosis is a significant zoonotic disease and one of the most common neglected diseases worldwide. It can infect a wide range of domestic and wild animal species. Infected animals are usually culled, causing substantial economic losses to animal owners and the country's economy in general. The disease is endemic among cattle, sheep, and goats in many countries around the Middle East and prevalent in most Gulf Cooperation Council countries, comprising a significant public health risk in the region. This study investigated the seroprevalence of brucellosis among camels in Qatar. Two hundred and forty-eight samples were collected from dromedary camels from 28 farms across the entire country. Each sample was tested for Brucella antibodies with both Rose Bengal and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Only samples that tested positive by both tests were considered seropositive for brucellosis. The overall prevalence was (20.6%, 95% CI, 15.7-26.1). The association between sex and seropositivity was slightly significant (Χ² = 4.32, P = 0.04), with higher seroprevalence in females. Camels below breeding age (i.e., < 4 years old) showed decreased seropositivity (3.4%, 95% CI, 0.1-17.8), compared to (22.8%, 95% CI, 17.4-29.0) seropositivity in camels ≥ 4 years of age, with a significant association between age groups and seropositivity (P = 0.02). Our results indicate that the seroprevalence of brucellosis in Qatar's camels is alarming, mandating more efforts to control the disease. The findings of this study will aid in selecting better effective measures to control camel brucellosis in Qatar. Further studies need to be conducted on Brucella infection among camels to determine the predisposing risk factors and the steps that should be followed to control brucellosis.

Whole-Genome Sequencing for Molecular Characterization of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Causing Lower Urinary Tract Infection among Pediatric Patients

Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health problem globally, incurring health and cost burdens. The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections has increased significantly over the years. Gram-negative bacteria display the broadest resistance range, with bacterial species expressing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC, and carbapenemases. All carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) isolates from pediatric urinary tract infections (UTIs) between October 2015 and November 2019 (n = 30). All isolates underwent antimicrobial resistance phenotypic testing using the Phoenix NMIC/ID-5 panel, and carbapenemase production was confirmed using the NG-Test CARBA 5 assay. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on the CREs. The sequence type was identified using the Achtman multi-locus sequence typing scheme, and antimicrobial resistance markers were identified using ResFinder and the CARD database. The most common pathogens causing CRE UTIs were E. coli (63.3%) and K. pneumoniae (30%). The most common carbapenemases produced were OXA-48-like enzymes (46.6%) and NDM enzymes (40%). Additionally, one E. coli harbored IMP-26, and two K. pneumoniae possessed mutations in ompK37 and/or ompK36. Lastly, one E. coli had a mutation in the marA porin and efflux pump regulator. The findings highlight the difference in CRE epidemiology in the pediatric population compared to Qatar's adult population, where NDM carbapenemases are more common.

Identification of mcr-8 in Clinical Isolates From Qatar and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Profiles

This study was performed to investigate the genotypic causes of colistin resistance in 18 colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 13), Escherichia coli (n = 3) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 2) isolates from patients at the Hamad General Hospital, Qatar. MIC testing for colistin was performed using Phoenix (BD Biosciences, Heidelberg, Germany) and then verified with SensiTest Colistin (Liofilchem, Zona Ind. le, Italy). Strains determined to be resistant (MIC > 4-16 μg/mL) were then whole-genome sequenced (MiSeq, Illumina, Inc.). Sequences were processed and analysed using BacPipe v1.2.6, a bacterial whole genome sequencing analysis pipeline. Known chromosomal modifications were determined using CLC Genomics Workbench v.9.5.3 (CLCbio, Denmark). Two K. pneumoniae isolates (KPN-15 and KPN-19) harboured mcr-8.1 on the IncFII(K) plasmids, pqKPN-15 and pqKPN-19, and belonged to ST383 and ST716, respectively. One E. coli isolate harboured mcr-1.1 on the IncI2 plasmid pEC-12. The other 15 isolates harboured known chromosomal mutations linked to colistin resistance in the PhoPQ two-component system. Also, three K. pneumoniae strains (KPN-9, KPN-10 and KPN-15) showed disruptions due to IS elements in mgrB. To our knowledge, this marks the first description of mcr-8.1 in K. pneumoniae of human origin in Qatar. Currently, more research is necessary to trace the source of mcr-8.1 and its variants in humans in this region.

The Implementation of an Integrated Management System at Qatar Biobank

Qatar Biobank (QBB) is a platform that will make vital health research possible through its collection of samples and information on health and lifestyle from the local population of Qatar. The goal of QBB is to collect, process, store, and finally share high-quality biological samples and associated data for research purposes with the research community. To do this, a series of standardized procedures following evidence-based practices are required, and QBB is achieving this by implementing an integrated management system (IMS) that incorporates ISO 9001: 2015 and ISO 27001: 2013 standards. ISO 9001 is one of the most commonly implemented quality management systems as it is applicable to any size of organization. ISO 27001: 2013 is increasingly popular as organizations look to manage their data and information security, especially in the light of the recent General Data Protection Regulation legislation and an ever-changing digital landscape. QBB has achieved certification in both ISO 9001: 2015 (originally 2008 standard) and ISO 27001: 2013 since 2014. In 2016, during preparations for recertification of both standards in 2017, QBB chose to integrate both of the management systems in preference to running them in parallel, without compromising the goals and objectives of QBB. The IMS has ensured that rigorous processes and controls are implemented to not only manage the quality of internal and external processes and services provided, but the privacy and confidentiality of data collected during a participant visit are consistently protected as well as a proactive approach to identifying and managing risk within the organization. This article will explore the impact of implementing an IMS on the continuous improvement of services within QBB.