Epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance trends of Acinetobacter species in the United Arab Emirates: a retrospective analysis of 12 years of national AMR surveillance data

Introduction: Acinetobacter spp., in particular A. baumannii, are opportunistic pathogens linked to nosocomial pneumonia (particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia), central-line catheter-associated blood stream infections, meningitis, urinary tract infections, surgical-site infections, and other types of wound infections. A. baumannii is able to acquire or upregulate various resistance determinants, making it frequently multidrug-resistant, and contributing to increased mortality and morbidity. Data on the epidemiology, levels, and trends of antimicrobial resistance of Acinetobacter spp. in clinical settings is scarce in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions. Methods: A retrospective 12-year analysis of 17,564 non-duplicate diagnostic Acinetobacter spp. isolates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was conducted. Data was generated at 317 surveillance sites by routine patient care during 2010–2021, collected by trained personnel and reported by participating surveillance sites to the UAE National AMR Surveillance program. Data analysis was conducted with WHONET.1 Results: Species belonging to the A. calcoaceticus-baumannii complex were mostly reported (86.7%). They were most commonly isolated from urine (32.9%), sputum (29.0%), and soft tissue (25.1%). Resistance trends to antibiotics from different classes during the surveillance period showed a decreasing trend. Specifically, there was a significant decrease in resistance to imipenem, meropenem, and amikacin. Resistance was lowest among Acinetobacter species to both colistin and tigecycline. The percentages of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and possibly extensively drug-resistant (XDR) isolates was reduced by almost half between the beginning of the study in 2010 and its culmination in 2021. Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. (CRAB) was associated with a higher mortality (RR: 5.7), a higher admission to ICU (RR 3.3), and an increased length of stay (LOS; 13 excess inpatient days per CRAB case), as compared to Carbapenem-susceptible Acinetobacter spp. Conclusion: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. are associated with poorer clinical outcomes, and higher associated costs, as compared to carbapenem-susceptible Acinetobacter spp. A decreasing trend of MDR Acinetobacter spp., as well as resistance to all antibiotic classes under surveillance was observed during 2010 to 2021. Further studies are needed to explore the reasons and underlying factors leading to this remarkable decrease of resistance over time

Epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the United Arab Emirates: a retrospective analysis of 12 years of national AMR surveillance data

Introduction: Enterococci are usually low pathogenic, but can cause invasive disease under certain circumstances, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia, endocarditis, and meningitis, and are associated with peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscesses. Increasing resistance of enterococci to glycopeptides and fluoroquinolones, and high-level resistance to aminoglycosides is a concern. National antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance data for enterococci from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Gulf region is scarce. Methods: A retrospective 12-year analysis of N = 37,909 non-duplicate diagnostic Enterococcus spp. isolates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was conducted. Data was generated by routine patient care during 2010–2021, collected by trained personnel and reported by participating surveillance sites to the UAE National AMR Surveillance program. Data analysis was conducted with WHONET. Results: Enterococcus faecalis was the most commonly reported species (81.5%), followed by Enterococcus faecium (8.5%), and other enterococci species (4.8%). Phenotypically vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were found in 1.8% of Enterococcus spp. isolates. Prevalence of VRE (%VRE) was highest for E. faecium (8.1%), followed by E. faecalis (0.9%). A significant level of resistance to glycopeptides (%VRE) for these two species has been observed in the majority of observed years [E. faecalis (0–2.2%), 2010: 0%, 2021: 0.6%] and E. faecium (0–14.2%, 2010: 0%, 2021: 5.8%). Resistance to fluoroquinolones was between 17 and 29% (E. faecalis) and was higher for E. faecium (between 42 and 83%). VRE were associated with higher patient mortality (RR: 2.97), admission to intensive care units (RR: 2.25), and increased length of stay (six excess inpatient days per VRE case), as compared to vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus spp. Discussion: Published data on Enterococcus infections, in particular VRE-infections, in the UAE and MENA region is scarce. Our data demonstrates that VRE-enterococci are relatively rare in the UAE, however showing an increasing resistance trend for several clinically important antibiotic classes, causing a concern for the treatment of serious infections caused by enterococci. This study also demonstrates that VRE were associated with higher mortality, increased intensive care unit admission rates, and longer hospitalization, thus poorer clinical outcome and higher associated costs in the UAE. We recommend the expansion of current surveillance techniques (e.g., local VRE screening), stricter infection prevention and control strategies, and better stewardship interventions. Further studies on the molecular epidemiology of enterococci are needed

Epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance trends of Acinetobacter species in the United Arab Emirates: a retrospective analysis of 12 years of national AMR surveillance data

Introduction: Acinetobacter spp., in particular A. baumannii, are opportunistic pathogens linked to nosocomial pneumonia (particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia), central-line catheter-associated blood stream infections, meningitis, urinary tract infections, surgical-site infections, and other types of wound infections. A. baumannii is able to acquire or upregulate various resistance determinants, making it frequently multidrug-resistant, and contributing to increased mortality and morbidity. Data on the epidemiology, levels, and trends of antimicrobial resistance of Acinetobacter spp. in clinical settings is scarce in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions. Methods: A retrospective 12-year analysis of 17,564 non-duplicate diagnostic Acinetobacter spp. isolates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was conducted. Data was generated at 317 surveillance sites by routine patient care during 2010-2021, collected by trained personnel and reported by participating surveillance sites to the UAE National AMR Surveillance program. Data analysis was conducted with WHONET. Results: Species belonging to the A. calcoaceticus-baumannii complex were mostly reported (86.7%). They were most commonly isolated from urine (32.9%), sputum (29.0%), and soft tissue (25.1%). Resistance trends to antibiotics from different classes during the surveillance period showed a decreasing trend. Specifically, there was a significant decrease in resistance to imipenem, meropenem, and amikacin. Resistance was lowest among Acinetobacter species to both colistin and tigecycline. The percentages of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and possibly extensively drug-resistant (XDR) isolates was reduced by almost half between the beginning of the study in 2010 and its culmination in 2021. Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. (CRAB) was associated with a higher mortality (RR: 5.7), a higher admission to ICU (RR 3.3), and an increased length of stay (LOS; 13 excess inpatient days per CRAB case), as compared to Carbapenem-susceptible Acinetobacter spp. Conclusion: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. are associated with poorer clinical outcomes, and higher associated costs, as compared to carbapenem-susceptible Acinetobacter spp. A decreasing trend of MDR Acinetobacter spp., as well as resistance to all antibiotic classes under surveillance was observed during 2010 to 2021. Further studies are needed to explore the reasons and underlying factors leading to this remarkable decrease of resistance over time

Image_3_Epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the United Arab Emirates: a retrospective analysis of 12 years of national AMR surveillance data.TIF

IntroductionEnterococci are usually low pathogenic, but can cause invasive disease under certain circumstances, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia, endocarditis, and meningitis, and are associated with peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscesses. Increasing resistance of enterococci to glycopeptides and fluoroquinolones, and high-level resistance to aminoglycosides is a concern. National antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance data for enterococci from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Gulf region is scarce.MethodsA retrospective 12-year analysis of N = 37,909 non-duplicate diagnostic Enterococcus spp. isolates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was conducted. Data was generated by routine patient care during 2010–2021, collected by trained personnel and reported by participating surveillance sites to the UAE National AMR Surveillance program. Data analysis was conducted with WHONET.ResultsEnterococcus faecalis was the most commonly reported species (81.5%), followed by Enterococcus faecium (8.5%), and other enterococci species (4.8%). Phenotypically vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were found in 1.8% of Enterococcus spp. isolates. Prevalence of VRE (%VRE) was highest for E. faecium (8.1%), followed by E. faecalis (0.9%). A significant level of resistance to glycopeptides (%VRE) for these two species has been observed in the majority of observed years [E. faecalis (0–2.2%), 2010: 0%, 2021: 0.6%] and E. faecium (0–14.2%, 2010: 0%, 2021: 5.8%). Resistance to fluoroquinolones was between 17 and 29% (E. faecalis) and was higher for E. faecium (between 42 and 83%). VRE were associated with higher patient mortality (RR: 2.97), admission to intensive care units (RR: 2.25), and increased length of stay (six excess inpatient days per VRE case), as compared to vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus spp.DiscussionPublished data on Enterococcus infections, in particular VRE-infections, in the UAE and MENA region is scarce. Our data demonstrates that VRE-enterococci are relatively rare in the UAE, however showing an increasing resistance trend for several clinically important antibiotic classes, causing a concern for the treatment of serious infections caused by enterococci. This study also demonstrates that VRE were associated with higher mortality, increased intensive care unit admission rates, and longer hospitalization, thus poorer clinical outcome and higher associated costs in the UAE. We recommend the expansion of current surveillance techniques (e.g., local VRE screening), stricter infection prevention and control strategies, and better stewardship interventions. Further studies on the molecular epidemiology of enterococci are needed.</p

Table_1_Epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the United Arab Emirates: a retrospective analysis of 12 years of national AMR surveillance data.pdf

IntroductionEnterococci are usually low pathogenic, but can cause invasive disease under certain circumstances, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia, endocarditis, and meningitis, and are associated with peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscesses. Increasing resistance of enterococci to glycopeptides and fluoroquinolones, and high-level resistance to aminoglycosides is a concern. National antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance data for enterococci from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Gulf region is scarce.MethodsA retrospective 12-year analysis of N = 37,909 non-duplicate diagnostic Enterococcus spp. isolates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was conducted. Data was generated by routine patient care during 2010–2021, collected by trained personnel and reported by participating surveillance sites to the UAE National AMR Surveillance program. Data analysis was conducted with WHONET.ResultsEnterococcus faecalis was the most commonly reported species (81.5%), followed by Enterococcus faecium (8.5%), and other enterococci species (4.8%). Phenotypically vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were found in 1.8% of Enterococcus spp. isolates. Prevalence of VRE (%VRE) was highest for E. faecium (8.1%), followed by E. faecalis (0.9%). A significant level of resistance to glycopeptides (%VRE) for these two species has been observed in the majority of observed years [E. faecalis (0–2.2%), 2010: 0%, 2021: 0.6%] and E. faecium (0–14.2%, 2010: 0%, 2021: 5.8%). Resistance to fluoroquinolones was between 17 and 29% (E. faecalis) and was higher for E. faecium (between 42 and 83%). VRE were associated with higher patient mortality (RR: 2.97), admission to intensive care units (RR: 2.25), and increased length of stay (six excess inpatient days per VRE case), as compared to vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus spp.DiscussionPublished data on Enterococcus infections, in particular VRE-infections, in the UAE and MENA region is scarce. Our data demonstrates that VRE-enterococci are relatively rare in the UAE, however showing an increasing resistance trend for several clinically important antibiotic classes, causing a concern for the treatment of serious infections caused by enterococci. This study also demonstrates that VRE were associated with higher mortality, increased intensive care unit admission rates, and longer hospitalization, thus poorer clinical outcome and higher associated costs in the UAE. We recommend the expansion of current surveillance techniques (e.g., local VRE screening), stricter infection prevention and control strategies, and better stewardship interventions. Further studies on the molecular epidemiology of enterococci are needed.</p

Image_4_Epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the United Arab Emirates: a retrospective analysis of 12 years of national AMR surveillance data.TIF

IntroductionEnterococci are usually low pathogenic, but can cause invasive disease under certain circumstances, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia, endocarditis, and meningitis, and are associated with peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscesses. Increasing resistance of enterococci to glycopeptides and fluoroquinolones, and high-level resistance to aminoglycosides is a concern. National antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance data for enterococci from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Gulf region is scarce.MethodsA retrospective 12-year analysis of N = 37,909 non-duplicate diagnostic Enterococcus spp. isolates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was conducted. Data was generated by routine patient care during 2010–2021, collected by trained personnel and reported by participating surveillance sites to the UAE National AMR Surveillance program. Data analysis was conducted with WHONET.ResultsEnterococcus faecalis was the most commonly reported species (81.5%), followed by Enterococcus faecium (8.5%), and other enterococci species (4.8%). Phenotypically vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were found in 1.8% of Enterococcus spp. isolates. Prevalence of VRE (%VRE) was highest for E. faecium (8.1%), followed by E. faecalis (0.9%). A significant level of resistance to glycopeptides (%VRE) for these two species has been observed in the majority of observed years [E. faecalis (0–2.2%), 2010: 0%, 2021: 0.6%] and E. faecium (0–14.2%, 2010: 0%, 2021: 5.8%). Resistance to fluoroquinolones was between 17 and 29% (E. faecalis) and was higher for E. faecium (between 42 and 83%). VRE were associated with higher patient mortality (RR: 2.97), admission to intensive care units (RR: 2.25), and increased length of stay (six excess inpatient days per VRE case), as compared to vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus spp.DiscussionPublished data on Enterococcus infections, in particular VRE-infections, in the UAE and MENA region is scarce. Our data demonstrates that VRE-enterococci are relatively rare in the UAE, however showing an increasing resistance trend for several clinically important antibiotic classes, causing a concern for the treatment of serious infections caused by enterococci. This study also demonstrates that VRE were associated with higher mortality, increased intensive care unit admission rates, and longer hospitalization, thus poorer clinical outcome and higher associated costs in the UAE. We recommend the expansion of current surveillance techniques (e.g., local VRE screening), stricter infection prevention and control strategies, and better stewardship interventions. Further studies on the molecular epidemiology of enterococci are needed.</p

Image_1_Epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the United Arab Emirates: a retrospective analysis of 12 years of national AMR surveillance data.tif

IntroductionEnterococci are usually low pathogenic, but can cause invasive disease under certain circumstances, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia, endocarditis, and meningitis, and are associated with peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscesses. Increasing resistance of enterococci to glycopeptides and fluoroquinolones, and high-level resistance to aminoglycosides is a concern. National antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance data for enterococci from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Gulf region is scarce.MethodsA retrospective 12-year analysis of N = 37,909 non-duplicate diagnostic Enterococcus spp. isolates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was conducted. Data was generated by routine patient care during 2010–2021, collected by trained personnel and reported by participating surveillance sites to the UAE National AMR Surveillance program. Data analysis was conducted with WHONET.ResultsEnterococcus faecalis was the most commonly reported species (81.5%), followed by Enterococcus faecium (8.5%), and other enterococci species (4.8%). Phenotypically vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were found in 1.8% of Enterococcus spp. isolates. Prevalence of VRE (%VRE) was highest for E. faecium (8.1%), followed by E. faecalis (0.9%). A significant level of resistance to glycopeptides (%VRE) for these two species has been observed in the majority of observed years [E. faecalis (0–2.2%), 2010: 0%, 2021: 0.6%] and E. faecium (0–14.2%, 2010: 0%, 2021: 5.8%). Resistance to fluoroquinolones was between 17 and 29% (E. faecalis) and was higher for E. faecium (between 42 and 83%). VRE were associated with higher patient mortality (RR: 2.97), admission to intensive care units (RR: 2.25), and increased length of stay (six excess inpatient days per VRE case), as compared to vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus spp.DiscussionPublished data on Enterococcus infections, in particular VRE-infections, in the UAE and MENA region is scarce. Our data demonstrates that VRE-enterococci are relatively rare in the UAE, however showing an increasing resistance trend for several clinically important antibiotic classes, causing a concern for the treatment of serious infections caused by enterococci. This study also demonstrates that VRE were associated with higher mortality, increased intensive care unit admission rates, and longer hospitalization, thus poorer clinical outcome and higher associated costs in the UAE. We recommend the expansion of current surveillance techniques (e.g., local VRE screening), stricter infection prevention and control strategies, and better stewardship interventions. Further studies on the molecular epidemiology of enterococci are needed.</p

Image_2_Epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the United Arab Emirates: a retrospective analysis of 12 years of national AMR surveillance data.TIF

IntroductionEnterococci are usually low pathogenic, but can cause invasive disease under certain circumstances, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia, endocarditis, and meningitis, and are associated with peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscesses. Increasing resistance of enterococci to glycopeptides and fluoroquinolones, and high-level resistance to aminoglycosides is a concern. National antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance data for enterococci from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Gulf region is scarce.MethodsA retrospective 12-year analysis of N = 37,909 non-duplicate diagnostic Enterococcus spp. isolates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was conducted. Data was generated by routine patient care during 2010–2021, collected by trained personnel and reported by participating surveillance sites to the UAE National AMR Surveillance program. Data analysis was conducted with WHONET.ResultsEnterococcus faecalis was the most commonly reported species (81.5%), followed by Enterococcus faecium (8.5%), and other enterococci species (4.8%). Phenotypically vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were found in 1.8% of Enterococcus spp. isolates. Prevalence of VRE (%VRE) was highest for E. faecium (8.1%), followed by E. faecalis (0.9%). A significant level of resistance to glycopeptides (%VRE) for these two species has been observed in the majority of observed years [E. faecalis (0–2.2%), 2010: 0%, 2021: 0.6%] and E. faecium (0–14.2%, 2010: 0%, 2021: 5.8%). Resistance to fluoroquinolones was between 17 and 29% (E. faecalis) and was higher for E. faecium (between 42 and 83%). VRE were associated with higher patient mortality (RR: 2.97), admission to intensive care units (RR: 2.25), and increased length of stay (six excess inpatient days per VRE case), as compared to vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus spp.DiscussionPublished data on Enterococcus infections, in particular VRE-infections, in the UAE and MENA region is scarce. Our data demonstrates that VRE-enterococci are relatively rare in the UAE, however showing an increasing resistance trend for several clinically important antibiotic classes, causing a concern for the treatment of serious infections caused by enterococci. This study also demonstrates that VRE were associated with higher mortality, increased intensive care unit admission rates, and longer hospitalization, thus poorer clinical outcome and higher associated costs in the UAE. We recommend the expansion of current surveillance techniques (e.g., local VRE screening), stricter infection prevention and control strategies, and better stewardship interventions. Further studies on the molecular epidemiology of enterococci are needed.</p

A good practice guide for organizing the scientific program of international conferences

Abstract: This paper provides a step-by-step guide for organizing the scientific program (OSP) of international conferences. Through informal discussions, a panel of experts organizing international conferences came up with this guide, which includes a flowchart, checklist, and detailed discussions of each step. Subsequently, additional specialists were invited to evaluate this synopsis and provide their input. All of the participants approved the final version after the outline was improved. This guide proposes the following six steps: 1) preparation, 2) recruitment, 3) building the agenda, 4) cross-checking the program, 5) reviewing and finalizing, and 6) in-conference refining. Thirteen items are specified across the six main steps in a detailed checklist. This OSP guide includes a flowchart and a checklist for providing a comprehensive manual for establishing, conducting, and organizing international scientific conferences. Understanding the procedures that are expected to be followed when holding a scientific conference enables the involved parties to organize and assign tasks to one another as well as create a schedule that allows them to finish their work on time. This guide can be used at any kind of scientific conference to describe an organized process, resulting in a professional and distinguished scientific program