The dissemination of multidrug-resistant and hypervirulent clones across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

is a Gram-negative bacterium associated with a wide range of community- and hospital-acquired infections. The emergence of clonal hypervirulent strains resistant to last-resort antimicrobial agents has become a global concern. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), with its diverse population and high tourism traffic, serves as a platform where the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains are facilitated.

Interplay of Demographic Influences, Clinical Manifestations, and Longitudinal Profile of Laboratory Parameters in the Progression of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Insights from the Saudi Population.

Understanding the factors driving SARS-CoV-2 infection progression and severity is complex due to the dynamic nature of human physiology. Therefore, we aimed to explore the severity risk indicators of SARS-CoV-2 through demographic data, clinical manifestations, and the profile of laboratory parameters. The study included 175 patients either hospitalized at King Abdulaziz Medical City-Riyadh or placed in quarantine at designated hotels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from June 2020 to April 2021.

Antivirulence Effects of Trans-Resveratrol and Curcumin on Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) from Saudi Arabia.

Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is a common resistant bacterium, whose resistance has expanded to commonly used antibiotics. It is crucial to create novel treatments to tackle bacterial resistance. Trans-resveratrol and curcumin are naturally occurring phenolic compounds, whose effects on MRSA virulence are the subject of this investigation.

The emergence of highly resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae CC14 clone in a tertiary hospital over 8 years.

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major bacterial and opportunistic human pathogen, increasingly recognized as a healthcare burden globally. The convergence of resistance and virulence in K. pneumoniae strains has led to the formation of hypervirulent and multidrug-resistant strains with dual risk, limiting treatment options.

Effect of Resveratrol and Curcumin on Gene Expression of Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) Toxins.

is an opportunistic pathogen that can lead to a number of potentially terrible community- and hospital-acquired illnesses. Among the diverse set of virulence factors that possesses, secreted toxins play a particularly preeminent role in defining its virulence. In this work, we aimed to facilitate the development of novel strategies utilizing natural compounds to lower 's toxin production and consequently enhance therapeutic approaches.

Molecular characterization and differential effects of levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin on the potential for developing quinolone resistance among clinical isolates.

Background: Fluoroquinolones are some of the most used antimicrobial agents for the treatment of . This study aimed at exploring the differential activity of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin on the selection of resistance among isolates at our medical center.

Methods: 233 clinical isolates were included in this study.

Genomic Characterization of Uropathogenic Isolates from Tertiary Hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Uropathogenic (UPEC) is the most common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in hospitalised and non-hospitalised patients. Genomic analysis was used to gain further insight into the molecular characteristics of UPEC isolates from Saudi Arabia. A total of 165 isolates were collected from patients with UTIs between May 2019 and September 2020 from two tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Antimicrobial resistance and genomic characterization of isolates from chicken meat.

This study investigated genotypic and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles, phylogenic relatedness, plasmid and virulence composition of 39 strains isolated from chicken meat samples using whole genome sequencing (WGS) technology. Four distinct serotypes were identified; Minnesota (16/39, 41%), Infantis (13/39, 33.3%), Enteritidis (9/39, 23.

Prevalence of Carbapenem Non-susceptible Gram-Negative Bacteria at Tertiary Care Hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

Background Antibiotics significantly increased life expectancy and decreased mortality rates due to infections. However, this trend is starting to fade with the rise of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDR); these strains are becoming a global burden on healthcare and the economy. The dramatic increase and spread of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) has become a serious global public health concern.

Epididymo-Orchitis Caused by POM-1 Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing in an Immunocompetent Patient: Case Report and Molecular Characterization.

is a rare and unique species among the genus that has not been previously reported as a cause of male genitourinary tract infection. In this report, we describe a case of a 20-year-old immunocompetent male who presented with recurrent epididymo-orchitis, which was initially misidentified as Vibrio vulnificus and treated successfully. The causative agent could not be identified appropriately using the available routine methods, but a final identification was established using 16S rRNA targeted sequencing followed by whole-genome sequencing.

In vitro activity of cefiderocol against clinically important carbapenem non-susceptible Gram-negative bacteria from Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: Cefiderocol is a novel catechol-substituted siderophore cephalosporin with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-negative pathogens. However, variation of its activity among carbapenemase producers from various regions and countries has been reported. Here, we checked the in vitro activity against Gram-negative carbapenem non-susceptible bacteria collected in Saudi Arabia.

Establishing a marine monitoring programme to assess antibiotic resistance: A case study from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

The World Health Organization considers antimicrobial resistance as one of the most pressing global issues which poses a fundamental threat to human health, development, and security. Due to demographic and environmental factors, the marine environment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region may be particularly susceptible to the threat of antimicrobial resistance. However, there is currently little information on the presence of AMR in the GCC marine environment to inform the design of appropriate targeted surveillance activities.

Towards promising antimicrobial alternatives: The future of bacteriophage research and development in Saudi Arabia.

The escalating threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens resulting from the rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant health and economic concern worldwide, exacerbated by the misuse of antibiotics in both humans and livestock. This has led to critical challenges when treating infections by multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens, which often display high mortality and morbidity rates. An international action plan and multisectoral cooperative approach are therefore needed to combat and halt AMR dissemination.

Epidemiological and molecular description of nosocomial outbreak of COVID-19 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Nosocomial outbreaks frequently occurred during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, sharing experiences on outbreak containment is vital to reduce the related burden in different locations.

Objectives: This article aims at sharing a practical experience on COVID-19 outbreak containment, including contact tracing, screening of target population, testing including molecular analysis, and preventive modalities. It also provides an epidemiological and molecular analysis of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) infection outbreak in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Development and Evaluation of Enzyme-Linked Viral Immune Capture Assay for Detection of SARS-CoV-2.

The pandemic of COVID-19 was caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019 and it has prompted unprecedented research activities for vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. The real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard method of diagnosis; however, immune-based assays offer cost-effective, deployable, easy-to-read solutions for diagnosis and surveillance. Here, we present the development, optimization, and testing of an enzyme-linked viral immune capture assay (ELVICA).

Acquired resistome and plasmid sequencing of - carrying MDR Enterobacteriaceae from poultry and their relationship to STs associated with humans.

Objectives: To investigate the acquired resistome in 18 colistin-resistant isolated from different poultry farms in Lebanon, analyse Inc plasmids associated with and assess potential transmission to humans.

Methods: A total of 18 were recovered from poultry faeces collected from different poultry farms in Lebanon. Broth microdilution (BMD) assay was performed to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles.

Genomic Characterization of Carbapenem-Non-susceptible Clinical Isolates From Saudi Arabia Revealed a Global Dissemination of GES-5-Producing ST235 and VIM-2-Producing ST233 Sub-Lineages.

Carbapenem-resistant has become a major clinical problem due to limited treatment options. However, studies assessing the trends in the molecular epidemiology and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in this pathogen are lacking in Saudi Arabia. Here, we reported the genome characterization in a global context of carbapenem non-susceptible clinical isolates from a nationally representative survey.

Antibacterial Efficacy of Liposomal Formulations Containing Tobramycin and -Acetylcysteine against Tobramycin-Resistant , , and .

The antibacterial activity and biofilm reduction capability of liposome formulations encapsulating tobramycin (TL), and Tobramycin--acetylcysteine (TNL) were tested against tobramycin-resistant strains of , and in the presence of several resistant genes. All antibacterial activity were assessed against tobramycin-resistant bacterial clinical isolate strains, which were fully characterized by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). All isolates acquired one or more of AMEs genes, efflux pump genes, OMP genes, and biofilm formation genes.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Colistin-Susceptible Salmonella enterica Serovar Minnesota Strain Harboring on an IncHI2/IncHI2A Plasmid, Isolated from Chicken Meat.

The recent emergence and dissemination of mobilized colistin resistance () genes have triggered extensive concerns globally. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a colistin-susceptible Salmonella enterica serotype Minnesota strain (named SA18578), belonging to sequence type 548 (ST548) and carrying the gene on an IncHI2/IncHI2A plasmid, that was isolated from chicken meat in Saudi Arabia in 2020.

Invasive fungal infection of the brain caused by in a post-renal transplant patient: A case report.

Neoscytalidium is a phytopathogen that is often found in plants and soil. It mostly leads to skin and nail infections, and invasive diseases of the sinuses, lung, and brain have been described mostly in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of a post-renal transplant patient who received anti-thymocyte globulin for induction immunosuppression.

Successful treatment of infective endocarditis due to pandrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae with ceftazidime-avibactam and aztreonam.

Pandrug-resistant (PDR) K. pneumoniae refractory to conventional treatment has been reported worldwide, causing a huge burden on the healthcare system, patient safety and the economy. K.

Learning From Mistakes: The Role of Phages in Pandemics.

The misuse of antibiotics is leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, and in the absence of available treatments, this has become a major global threat. In the middle of the recent severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which has challenged the whole world, the emergence of MDR bacteria is increasing due to prophylactic administration of antibiotics to intensive care unit patients to prevent secondary bacterial infections. This is just an example underscoring the need to seek alternative treatments against MDR bacteria.

Structural Mapping of Mutations in Spike, RdRp and Orf3a Genes of SARS-CoV-2 in Influenza Like Illness (ILI) Patients.

In December 2019, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in China led to a pandemic. Since both Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and COVID-19 case definitions overlap, we re-investigated the ILI cases using PCR for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in 739 nasopharyngeal swabs collected from November 2019 to March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found in 37 samples (5%) collected mostly during February 2020.

Investigation on the Genetic Signatures of Antibiotic Resistance in Multi-Drug-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae Isolates From National Guard Hospital, Riyadh.

Introduction Despite a large number of antibiotics available to treat Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae (KP), resistance against these antibiotics is ever-increasing and has now become a global threat to human life. The most frequently observed resistant genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae are CTX-M, OXA-48, IMP, and NDM; some are clone-specific while others form a reservoir for infection.