pThe molecular epidemiology and mechanisms of resistance of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) were determined in hospitals in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), namely, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Isolates were subjected to PCR-based detection of antibiotic-resistant genes and repetitive sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) assessments of clonality. Sixty-two isolates which screened positive for potential carbapenemase production were assessed, and 45 were found to produce carbapenemase. The most common carbapenemases were of the OXA-48 (35 isolates) and NDM (16 isolates) types; 6 isolates were found to coproduce the OXA-48 and NDM types. No KPC-type, VIM-type, or IMP-type producers were detected. Multiple clones were detected with seven clusters of clonally related Klebsiella pneumoniae. Awareness of CRE in GCC countries has important implications for controlling the spread of CRE in the Middle East and in hospitals accommodating patients transferred from the region.

(1). The success of this pathogen is partially due to the high prevalence of a multidrug-resistant phenotype that A. baumannii now demonstrates (2). In the Middle East, particularly in states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC]; i.e., Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain), the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) has increased dramatically over the last decade (3). This high prevalence limits treatment options, which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality due to infections caused by CRAB.The phenotypic resistance characteristics of CRAB are mainly due to the expression of class D carbapenemases, called oxacillinases. Moreover, plasmid-mediated metallo-␤-lactamases (MBL) have been associated with the resistance phenotype (2). The existence of ISAba1 elements upstream of the bla OXA-51-type gene is also associated with the carbapenem resistance phenotype in A. baumannii by overexpressing the intrinsic OXA-51 carbapenemase (4). Previous reports on isolates from the GCC states show that the carbapenem resistance phenotype in A. baumannii is often due to the expression of OXA enzymes, particularly OXA-23 (3). However, MBL-encoding genes, including the recently

Escherichia coli ST95 is a globally disseminated clone frequently associated with bloodstream infections and neonatal meningitis. However, the ST95 lineage is defined by low levels of drug resistance amongst clinical isolates, which normally provides for uncomplicated treatment options. Here, we provide the first detailed genomic analysis of an E. coli ST95 isolate that has both high virulence potential and resistance to multiple antibiotics. Using the genome, we predicted its virulence and antibiotic resistance mechanisms, which include resistance to last-line antibiotics mediated by the plasmid-borne mcr-1 gene. Finding an ST95 isolate resistant to nearly all antibiotics that also has a high virulence potential is of major clinical importance and underscores the need to monitor new and emerging trends in antibiotic resistance development in this important global lineage.

Overall our data show that 'high-risk' CRPA clones are now detected in the region and highlight the need for strategies to limit further spread of such organisms, including enhanced surveillance, infection control precautions and further promotion of antibiotic stewardship programmes.

BackgroundThe emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates has important clinical and therapeutic implications. High prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae has been reported in the literature for clinical samples from a variety of infection sites. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and to perform molecular characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of clinical isolates from patients admitted to the intensive care units at Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar, from November 2012 to October 2013.MethodsA total of 629 Enterobacteriaceae isolates were included in the study. Identification and susceptibility testing was performed using Phoenix (Becton Dickinson) and the ESBL producers were confirmed by double-disk potentiation as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Molecular analysis of the ESBL producers was performed by polymerase chain reaction.ResultsIn total, 109 isolates (17.3 %) were confirmed as ESBL producers and all were sensitive to meropenem in routine susceptibility assays. Most of the ESBL producers (99.1 %) were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ceftriaxone and 93.6 % were resistant to cefepime. Among the ESBL-producing genes, blaCTX-M (66.1 %) was the most prevalent, followed by blaSHV (53.2 %) and blaTEM (40.4 %).ConclusionsThese findings show the high prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae within the intensive care units at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, and emphasize the need for judicious use of antibiotics and the implementation of strict infection control measures.