Partial artemisinin resistance has emerged in East Africa, posing a threat to malaria control across the continent. The Democratic Republic of the Congo carries one of the heaviest malaria burdens globally, and the South Kivu province directly borders current artemisinin resistance hot spots, but indications of such resistance have not been observed so far. We assessed molecular markers of antimalarial drug resistance in 256 Plasmodium falciparum isolates collected in 2022 in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. One isolate carried the P. falciparum Kelch-13 469Y variant, a marker associated with partial artemisinin resistance and decreased lumefantrine susceptibility in Uganda. In addition, the multidrug resistance-1 mutation pattern suggested increased lumefantrine tolerance.

In this paper, we describe the first complete genome sequence of Providencia vermicola species, a clinical multidrug-resistant strain harboring the New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) gene, isolated at the Kinshasa University Teaching Hospital, in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Whole genome sequencing of an imipenem-resistant clinical Gram-negative P. vermicola P8538 isolate was performed using MiSeq and Gridion, and then complete genome analysis, plasmid search, resistome analysis, and comparative genomics were performed. Genome assembly resulted in a circular chromosome sequence of 4,280,811-bp and 40.80% GC and a circular plasmid (pPV8538_NDM-1) of 151,684-bp and 51.93%GC, which was identified in an Escherichia coli P8540 strain isolated in the same hospital. Interestingly, comparative genomic analysis revealed multiple sequences acquisition within the P. vermicola P8538 chromosome, including three complete prophages, a siderophore biosynthesis NRPS cluster, a Type VI secretion system (T6SS), a urease gene cluster, and a complete Type-I-F CRISPR-Cas3 system. Β-lactamase genes, including bla_CMY-6 and bla_NDM-1, were found on the recombinant plasmid pPV8538_NDM-1, in addition to other antibiotic resistance genes such as rmtC, aac6’-Ib3, aacA4, catA1, sul1, aac6’-Ib-cr, tetA, and tetB. Genome comparison with Providencia species revealed 82.95% of average nucleotide identity (ANI), with P. stuartii species exhibiting 90.79% of proteome similarity. We report the first complete genome of P. vermicola species and for the first time the presence of the bla_NDM-1 gene in this species. This work highlights the need to improve surveillance and clinical practices in DR Congo in order to reduce or prevent the spread of such resistance.

Brevundimonas diminuta is rarely described in clinical specimens, never at the umbilical stump. Most of the reported cases are in patients with underlying pathologies. We must integrate this microorganism in the etiological agents of nosocomial infections, but much remains to be understood about its virulence. We present a case of umbilical stump infection (omphalitis) caused by B. diminuta, in a preterm and hypotrophic new-born and discuss the diagnosis of this bacterium and its role as responsible of nosocomial neonatal infections.

In sub-Saharan Africa, diagnostic methods for tuberculosis are inadequate and are essentially based on microscopy. They constitute a real obstacle to the control of tuberculosis. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of GeneXpert MTB/RIF test compared to classical Ziehl-Neelsen staining at the the general referral provincial hospital of Bukavu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo after 10 months of use. The results of Ziehl-Neelsen staining and GeneXpert MTB/RIF molecular biology test performed in 452 patients with suspected tuberculosis were collected. This study compares the validity of these different diagnostic tests in the detection of tuberculosis. In the entire group, the frequency of the pulmonary tuberculosis was 16.3%. The positivity rate was significantly higher in GeneXpert MTB/RIF test than in Ziehl-Neelsen staining in the entire group (15.9% vs 9.3%, p = 0.03) and in HIV seropositive patients (52.0% vs 24.0%; p = 0.007). However, the sensitivity of GeneXpert MTB/RIF test compared to that in Ziehl-Neelsen staining wasn't maximum (95.2%). Finally, GeneXpert MTB/RIF test detected rifampicin resistance in 20.8%. This study confirms the superiority of GeneXpert MTB/RIF test compared to Ziehl-Neelsen staining in the detection of tuberculosis and in the prediction of multi-resistance. Its systematic use coupled with Ziehl-Neelsen staining would better control tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where they are highly prevalent and increasingly associated with antimicrobial resistance. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), data on the bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of uropathogens remain scarce. This study aimed to describe the bacteriological profile, antibiotic resistance patterns, and factors associated with multidrug resistance (MDR) among uropathogens at the Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu (HPGRB). Methods: A retrospective descriptive and analytical study was conducted from July 1 to December 31, 2024, in the Microbiology Department of HPGRB. Urine cultures and Kirby–Bauer antibiograms (EUCAST and CLSI 2024 guidelines) from 380 positive samples were analyzed. Bivariate (χ²/Fisher) and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with MDR. The production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) was detected and selected by the search for the champagne cork between clavulanic acid and ceftazidime alone or simply resistance to ceftazidime in the absence of the champagne cork. Results: Among 380 patients with positive urine cultures (55% female), children (40.4%) and elderly patients (41.6%) were the most affected. Escherichia coli (62%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (21%) predominated, showing high resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and quinolones. Presumed ESBL phenotypes were observed in 76.2% of E. coli and 83.3% of K. pneumoniae, with MDR rates of 70% and 82%, respectively. Surgery department admission was the only independent predictor of MDR (adjusted OR 5.43; 95% CI 1.63– 18.09; p = 0.006). Conclusion: UTIs at HPGRB are dominated by Enterobacterales with high MDR and presumed ESBL rates, though last-line antibiotics remain effective. Continuous surveillance, confirmatory ESBL testing, and targeted antibiotic stewardship are urgently needed to preserve therapeutic options.