Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli and their resistance determinants in the Eastern Mediterranean Region over the last decade
Carbapenem resistance is increasing in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
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A review discussing the extent of this spread over the last decade is lacking.
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Review of spread and prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae, A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa by country.
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Variety of carbapenem resistance and other resistance genes in carbapenem-resistant isolates in each country revealed.
ABSTRACT
Carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is increasing worldwide, which has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to list these bacteria in the critical priority pathogens group. Infections by such pathogens pose a serious threat to hospitalised patients and are associated with clinical and economic consequences. What worsens the case is the weak pipeline of available antimicrobial agents to treat such infections and the absence of new drugs. The aim of this review was to shed light on all studies tackling carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae, A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa in the Eastern Mediterranean region, with indication for each country, description of studies timeline, prevalence of carbapenem resistance, and carbapenem resistance-encoding genes detected in these countries.
