High prevalence of methicillin-resistant , and in asymptomatic Syrian asylum seekers in Denmark during 2016 through 2018.

Introduction: Concerns have been raised regarding the emergence of antimicrobial-resistance and parasitic infections in the European refugee population. Here, we estimated the prevalence of intestinal parasites and selected antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in newly arrived asylum seekers in Denmark.

Materials And Methods: Using a cross-sectional one-stage cluster sample design, adult Syrian asylum seekers were included upon arrival in Denmark. Faecal samples were collected and tested for ova and parasites, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL-E) and carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO). Throat swabs were collected and analysed for methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and .

Results: We invited 121 eligible individuals (20% of the source population) from six different asylum centres to participate, of whom 113 agreed. Throat swabs and faecal samples were received from 104 and 48 participants, respectively. Seven individuals did not provide enough material for the entire panel of faecal analyses. Three individuals (7.3%, 95%CI: 2.5-19.4%) were colonised with and 28 (68.3%, 95%CI: 53.0-80.4%) with sp. (subtypes 1 [ = 5], 2 [ = 9] and 3 [ = 14]). Seven individuals (6.7%, 95%CI: 3.3-13.3%) were colonised with MRSA and one with ESBL-E. None had CPO or and none reported any gastro-intestinal symptoms.

Discussion: Even with the most conservative estimates, the prevalence of sp. and MRSA was high in this asymptomatic refugee population.

Conclusions: We highlight the importance of raised awareness of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria when attending to newly arrived Syrian refugees. Meanwhile, our data suggest that routine screening for intestinal parasites in this population is of limited clinical relevance.