Background: This is the first nationwide assessment of WHO-designated bacterial resistance in Iraq. Aim: To analyse antimicrobial resistance patterns over 4 years in Iraq, based on data from the national surveillance system. Methods: Using the WHO Antimicrobial Resistance Network software, we collected and analysed 238 973 antimicrobial resistance data from the 106 antimicrobial resistance surveillance sites across Iraq, for 2020–2023, from the Iraqi national surveillance system. The data were analysed using SPSS version 26. Results: Resistance to carbapenem by Acinetobacter baumannii increased markedly, reaching 80% in 2023. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was notably high among Acinetobacter baumannii (88.5–92%), Escherichia coli (88.0%) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (74.0%). Multidrug resistance and extensively drug-resistant profiles for Acinetobacter spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae increased, particularly in extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter spp. (66%). Resistance to last-line reserve antibiotics, such as colistin and tigecycline, increased significantly in 2023, suggesting an increasing threat to the efficacy of these critical agents. Conclusion: These findings indicate that several key pathogens in Iraq have surpassed the critical resistance thresholds, thus limiting the effectiveness of commonly used empirical therapies and narrowing treatment options. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship and prescription practices is essential to curb resistance and protect the efficacy of treatment regimens.
Choosing antimicrobials is a common dilemma when the expected rate of bacterial resistance is high. The observed resistance values in unequal groups of isolates tested for different antimicrobials can be misleading. This can affect the decision to recommend one antibiotic over the other. We analyzed recalled data with the statistical consideration of unequal sample groups. Data was collected concerning children suspected to have typhoid fever at Al Alwyia Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. The study period extended from September 2021 to September 2022. A novel algorithm was developed to compare the drug sensitivity among unequal numbers of Salmonella typhi (S. Typhi) isolates tested with different antibacterials.
... Show MoreRecent studies highlighted the hazard of emerging antimicrobial resistance (AMR) bacteria in domesticated animals, with multidrug resistance (MRD) patterns in poultry recorded with alarming intensity as a major reservoir. This resistance has been associated with the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial agents in poultry farms. This current study aimed to determine the multidrug resistance (MDR) patterns of Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chickens. A total of 32 human samples were taken from worker handlers (positive: 4 samples, 12.5%), and 40 samples were collected from poultry chickens (positive: 13 samples, 32.5%). The findings revealed marked resistance against six of the ten agents in the isolates (MDR being 100% in all samples an
... Show MoreKlebsiella pneumoniae is a severe opportunistic strain of enteric bacteria that is a major cause of urinary tract infection and pneumonia. This study was conducted in Baghdad City during September 2020-November 2020 on 50 clinical samples of urine, vaginal, sputum, wound swabs, ear swabs, and burn swabs. strains were identified using the VITEK-2 compact system and tested in K. pneumoniae terms of susceptibility to various antimicrobial drugs by Kirby-Bauer test. The isolates were more predominant in the females (56%) compared to males (44%). The antibiotic resistance rate of varied among different isolated clinical sample sources. K. pneumoniae K. pneumoniae isolated from different clinical specimens differed with respect
... Show MoreBackground: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the result of aninitial episode of acute otitis media and is characterized by a persistent discharge from the middle ear through a tympanic perforation for at least 2 weeks duration. It is an important cause of preventable hearing loss, particularly in the developing world.Methods. 1. To get an overview on the bacterial ear infection profile in general 2. To assess the antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonal infection (PS) particularly since it is usually the commonest infection to cause otitis media and the most difficult to treat due to the problem of multi drug resistance... A cross sectional study was done which included 405 patient of CSOM patients196 (48%) case were males ,209 (52
... Show MoreBackground: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the result of an initial episode of acute otitis media and is characterized by a persistent discharge from the middle ear through a tympanic perforation for at least 2 weeks duration. It is an important cause of preventable hearing loss, particularly in the developing world.Objective: To get an overview on the bacterial ear infection profile in general and to assess the antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonal infection (PS) particularly since it is usually the commonest infection to cause otitis media and the most difficult to treat due to the problem of multi drug resistance..Methods: A cross sectional study was done which included 405 patients of CSOM patients, 196 (48%) case were mal
... Show MoreObjective:The current study aime to isolate Escherichia colifrom urinary tract infections(UTIs) in many Baghdad hospitals. The study concentrate on phylogenic groups and this was done based on triplex PCRmethod by primers besieged to three genetic markers, chuA, yjaA and TspE4.C2. Evaluate the relationship of phylogenic groups of E. coli isolates with the antibiotic-non sensitive patterns. Methodology:Four hundredof E.coli bacteria isolated from urine samples from five hospitals in Baghdad city include: Ghazi AL-Hariri, Ibin- Al-Beledi , AL-Iskan , AL-Nooman and AL-Yarmoke hospitals. Phylogenetic categorizatio
Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to rifampicin is mainly mediated through mutations in the rpoB gene. The effects of rpoB mutations are relieved by secondary mutations in rpoA or rpoC genes. This study aims to identify mutations in rpoB, rpoA, and rpoC genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates and clarify their contribution to rifampicin resistance. Seventy isolates were identified by acid-fast bacilli smear, Genexpert assay, and growth on Lowenstein Jensen medium. Drug susceptibility, testing was performed by the proportional method. DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing were accomplished for the entire rpoA, rpoB, and
... Show MoreBackground: First six to twelve months after initial urinary tract infection, most infections are caused by Escherichiacoli, although in the first year of life Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter spp andEnterococcus spp, are more frequent than later in life, and there is a higher risk of urosepsis compared with adulthood
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of bacterial isolates from Urinary Tract Infections of children at a children hospital in Baghdad and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.
Type of the study: Cross-sectional study.
Methods: During six months of study (1 June to 31 Dece
... Show MoreBackground: This in vitro study compares a novel calcium-phosphate etchant paste to conventional 37% phosphoric acid gel for bonding metal and ceramic brackets by evaluating the shear bond strength, remnant adhesive and enamel damage following water storage, acid challenge and fatigue loading. Material and Methods: Metal and ceramic brackets were bonded to 240 extracted human premolars using two enamel conditioning protocols: conventional 37% phosphoric acid (PA) gel (control), and an acidic calcium-phosphate (CaP) paste. The CaP paste was prepared from β-tricalcium phosphate and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate powders mixed with 37% phosphoric acid solution, and the resulting phase was confirmed using FTIR. The bonded premolars were exp
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