Other specific DSP article suggested by Editorial Board
Global epidemiological survey and genomic analysis of multiple carbapenemases-producing Citrobacter freundii.
Authors: Pan H, et al
Abstract
Objectives: Carbapenem-resistant Citrobacter freundii (CRCF) has emerged as a growing global health concern, as it is increasingly implicated in human infections and recognized as an important reservoir of clinically significant antimicrobial resistance determinants. Although C. freundii carrying single carbapenemase genes has been widely reported, systematic global analyses of isolates harboring multiple carbapenemase genes remain limited.
Methods: Citrobacter spp. isolates were recovered and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined using the broth microdilution method. We further conducted a comprehensive genomic analysis of multi-carbapenem-producing C. freundii (MCP-CF). Whole-genome sequencing data were used to characterize the carbapenemase gene profiles, multilocus sequence types (MLST), phylogenetic relationships, geographic distribution, and plasmid replicon compositions.
Results: Through antimicrobial susceptibility testing, all MCP-CF isolates exhibited extensive resistance to β-lactams, with partial resistance to tigecycline but retained susceptibility to colistin. From the global perspective, MCP-CF isolates occurred at a low frequency but spanned multiple sequence types and geographic regions. Carbapenemase gene combinations predominantly comprised blaKPC and blaNDM and were associated with plasmids of heterogeneous replicon backgrounds. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these isolates were phylogenetically dispersed rather than clonally related.
Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the capacity of C. freundii to acquire and disseminate multiple carbapenemase genes and reveal the widespread, yet under-recognized, distribution of these highly resistant strains. Continuous genomic surveillance and integrated analyses of public genomic data are essential for improving early detection and informing effective infection control and antimicrobial stewardship strategies.”
Other specific DSP article suggested by Editorial Board
Simulating interventions to prevent gastro-intestinal transmission of Clostridioides difficile and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in healthcare settings: a model calibration study.
Authors: Gerada A, et al
Abstract
Background: Hospital-acquired infections caused by pathogens such as Clostridioides difficile and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are a major burden to healthcare systems. Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are used to limit transmission, but quantifying the impact of individual interventions remains challenging.
Methods: Here, an agent-based model (ABM) is described that simulates faecal-oral transmission of pathogens under antimicrobial selection pressure in hospital settings. The model was calibrated to a C. difficile outbreak using approximate Bayesian computation.
Findings: The calibrated model reproduced the observed outbreak dynamics with rates of nosocomial infection that were similar to the true outbreak. In simulated scenarios, the pre-outbreak baseline rate was a median of 1.22 cases per 1000 patient days [interquartile range (IQR) range 1.02-1.44], compared with the real rate of 1.25 cases per 1000 [IQR 0.94-1.56]. During the outbreak period, simulations had a median rate of 2.42 [IQR 1.51-3.92] cases, compared with the real median rate of 3.74 [IQR 3.32-4.41]. Sensitivity analyses revealed that toilet cleaning frequency had the greatest impact on reducing nosocomial infections; antimicrobial stewardship and patient cohorting into single-occupancy rooms also reduced cases.
Conclusion: This ABM provides a flexible framework for evaluating IPC interventions and supporting outbreak preparedness. The approach is readily adaptable to other faecal-orally transmitted pathogens including vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales.
Other specific DSP article suggested by Editorial Board
Uropathogenic profiles and antibiotic resistance in gynecological cases: a microbial surveillance study from Northeast India.
Authors: Bania J, et al
Abstract
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections affecting women worldwide. This study investigated bacterial diversity, associated risk factors, and multidrug resistance (MDR) patterns among Gynecological patients in the northeastern region of India. A total of 896 participants were enrolled in the study. Midstream urine specimens were collected and processed using standard microbiological procedures to confirm infection. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, 2022. Of the 896 participants, 278 (31.02%) were microbiologically confirmed as UTI-positive. Significant associations were observed between UTI prevalence and several risk factors, including age 18-39 years (OR 2.14, p < 0.001), previous history of UTI (OR 7.81, p < 0.001), hypertension (OR 2.75, p < 0.001), prior antibiotic use (OR 2.99, p < 0.001), and pregnancy (OR 1.96, p < 0.001). The most prevalent pathogens were Escherichia coli (62.5%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.9%). Notably, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrated high resistance to fluoroquinolones, nalidixic acid, ampicillin, and cephalosporins. In contrast, these isolates showed higher susceptibility to fosfomycin, amikacin, gentamicin, ertapenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam. The findings highlight region-specific antimicrobial resistance trends and underscore the need for targeted antibiotic stewardship policies, continuous surveillance, and routine integration of microbiological testing into Gynecological practice to optimize treatment outcomes and curb the spread of resistant pathogens.