Landscape of Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections in Egypt: Survey and Literature Review

Abstract

Amani El-Kholy,1 Hadir A El-Mahallawy,2 Noha Elsharnouby,3 Mohamed Abdel Aziz,4 Ahmed Mohamed Helmy,5 Ramy Kotb6 1Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 2Clinical Pathology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; 4Pfizer Egypt, Levant & Iraq Medical Affairs, Cairo, Egypt; 5Pfizer Egypt Medical Affairs, Cairo, Egypt; 6Pfizer Africa & Middle East Medical Affairs, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesCorrespondence: Amani El-KholyDepartment of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptTel [phone]Email [email protected]: This article is the first to review published reports on the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative infections in Egypt and gain insights into antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and susceptibility testing capabilities of Egyptian medical centers.Materials and Methods: A literature review and online survey were conducted.Results: The online survey and literature review reported high prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (19– 85.24% of E. coli, and 10– 87% of K. pneumoniae), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (35– 100% of K. pneumoniae and 13.8– 100% of E. coli), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (10– 100%), and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15– 70%) in Egypt. Risk factors for MDR Gram-negative infections were ventilated patients (67.4%), prolonged hospitalization (53.5%) and chronic disease (34.9%). Although antimicrobial surveillance capabilities were deemed at least moderate in most centers, lack of access to rapid AMR diagnostics, lack of use of local epidemiological data in treatment decision-making, lack of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs, and lack of risk prediction tools were commonly reported by respondents.Conclusion: This survey has highlighted the presence of knowledge gaps as well as limitations in the surveillance and monitoring capabilities of AMR in Egypt, with most laboratories lacking rapid diagnostics and molecular testing. Future efforts in Egypt should focus on tackling these issues via nationwide initiatives, including understanding the AMR trends in the country, capacity building of laboratories and their staff to correctly and timely identify AMR, and introducing newer antimicrobials for targeting emerging resistance mechanisms in Gram-negative species.Keywords: Egypt, Gram-negative bacteria, hospital-acquired pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, multidrug resistance, urinary tract infections

Keywords

• egypt
• gram-negative bacteria
• hospital-acquired pneumonia
• intra-abdominal infections
• multidrug resistance
• urinary tract infections.