The epidemiology and microbiological characteristics of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria in Qatar: national surveillance from the Study for Monitoring of Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART): 2017 to 2019.

Background: The global Study of Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) is a surveillance program for evaluation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) from different regions including Gulf countries.

Objectives: To evaluate AMR in GNB from various clinical specimens including microbiological and genetic characteristics for existing and novel antimicrobials.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on clinical specimens from Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, between 2017 and 2019 according to the SMART protocol.