A CDC study raises alarms about multidrug-resistant *E. coli* and *K. pneumoniae* in Kenya, Uganda, and Jordan, demonstrating significant genetic diversity and alarming resistance profiles. The study highlights the prevalence of high-risk clones and emphasizes the need for intensified AMR surveillance to manage infection threats more effectively.
A recent study published in the CDC’s “Emerging Infectious Diseases” highlights escalating concerns regarding multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains found in Kenya, Uganda, and Jordan. The researchers conducted a thorough analysis of clinical MDR isolates identified from an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance initiative by the U.S. Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division over a decade, from 2012 to 2022, employing whole genome sequencing (WGS) and antibiotic susceptibility testing on the isolates. The investigation revealed 785 E. coli isolates corresponding to 124 distinct sequence types (STs), with 20 (16.1 percent) of these STs shared among the three nations. The predominant ST was ST131, recognized globally as a significant contributor to MDR infections, with three pathogenic E. coli STs also identified in food-producing animals. In contrast, K. pneumoniae displayed even greater genetic diversity with 123 unique STs, while only 11 (8.9 percent) STs were common across the three countries, four of which were noted as high-risk by the researchers. Analyzing the AMR characteristics of these pathogens, the team discovered that 50.8 percent of E. coli isolates and 68.8 percent of K. pneumoniae exhibited extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes through WGS analysis. Alarmingly, two E. coli isolates and five K. pneumoniae isolates demonstrated mobile colistin resistance, with the detection of carbapenemase genes in 1 percent of E. coli and 12 percent of K. pneumoniae isolates. The research team has emphasized that the rising prevalence of high-risk clones of E. coli and K. pneumoniae poses a grave threat to infection management globally. The notable increase in resistance to essential antimicrobial agents, including carbapenems and third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, compounds the concern. Furthermore, the proliferation of mobile genetic elements contributing to resistance enhances the risks posed to public health. The presence of high-risk STs, which carry resistance genes, illustrates their effective transmission capabilities, raising alarms about the potential for both intraspecies and interspecies gene transfer and the emergence of new high-risk clones.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a critical global health challenge, significantly complicating infection management and treatment. Multidrug-resistant strains of common bacterial pathogens, such as *E. coli* and *K. pneumoniae*, are increasingly reported across various regions, prompting public health officials and researchers to closely monitor their spread. The current study sheds light on the prevalence and genetic diversity of these MDR bacteria in Kenya, Uganda, and Jordan, contributing to a broader understanding of AMR patterns and potential risks associated with food safety and public health. The findings emphasize a stepped-up need for AMR surveillance and strategic responses to control the dissemination of resistant strains.
The findings from the CDC study underscore the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and preventive measures to combat the spread of multidrug-resistant *E. coli* and *K. pneumoniae* in Kenya, Uganda, and Jordan. The identification of high-risk clones exhibiting resistance traits is particularly concerning, suggesting a rising threat to public health. Proactive engagement in addressing antimicrobial resistance, including the prudent use of antibiotics and mitigation of resistance gene transfer, remains paramount to safeguarding health outcomes in these regions.
Original Source: www.food-safety.com
