Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is a common cause of multi-drug (MDR)-resistant infections worldwide. The epidemiological and molecular characteristics of MDR-A. baumannii in Jordan is not known. Methods: A. baumannii isolates were collected from 2010 to 2020 from three tertiary hospitals in Jordan. Demographic and clinical data, isolates information, antibiotic susceptibility patterns, phenotypic, and molecular characterization of carbapenem resistance genes were performed. Results: A total of 622 A. baumannii isolates were collected during the study period. Most isolates were from males, aged 18–60 years, Jordanian, from infected wounds, and were patients in surgery or critical care units. Among patients from whom A. baumannii was isolated, associated risk factors for MDR were adults over 60, males, critically ill patients and infected wounds (OR 4.14, 2.45, 10, 7, respectively, p < 0.0001). Incidence rates from 2010 to 2015 showed a slight increase in MDR (3.75/1000 to 4.46/1000). Resistance patterns indicated high resistance for most cephalosporins, carbapenems, and fluoroquinolones, moderate resistance for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin/sulbactam, low resistance for aminoglycosides and tetracyclines, while colistin and tigecycline, have the lowest resistance rates. 76.8% of A. baumannii isolates were MDR and 99.2% were carbapenem-resistant. All isolates were positive for the OXA-51 gene (100%), 98.5% were positive for the OXA-23 gene, 26.6% for the VIM gene, while KPC and IMP genes were almost not detected (0% and 0.8% respectively). Conclusions: This is the first large, multicentric, prolonged study that provides insights into A. baumannii infections in Jordan. Attention to patients at higher risk is important for early identification. Colistin and tigecycline were the most effective antimicrobials.

Introduction: Nasal colonization by coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) play an important role in nosocomial infections. This study aims to determine antibiotics susceptibility pattern and molecular screening of methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant nasal CoNS among hospitalized patients. Methodology: Nasal swabs were collected from 202 inpatients at Prince Hamzah Hospital, Jordan. Swabs were processed according to standard microbiological procedures to isolate Staphylococci. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using disk diffusion, E-test, microdilution, and Vitek 2. Molecular analysis was performed using PCR for the detection of mecA, vanA, and vanB genes. Results: Nasal Staphylococci was isolated in 64/202 (31.7%) samples. Thirty isolates (14.8%) were CoNS, including S. haemolyticus (n = 17, 8.4%), S. sciuri (n = 6, 3%), S. epidermidis (n = 2, 1%), S. warneri (n = 2, 1%), S. hominis (n = 2, 1%), and S. lentus (n = 1, 0.5%). Twenty-two (10.9%) isolates were MR-CoNS harboring mecA gene. CoNS and MR-CoNS isolates were highly resistant to benzylpenicillin, erythromycin, fosfomycin, and imipenem. All isolates were sensitive to vancomycin by E-test and microdilution test and were negative for vanA and vanB genes. Nasal CoNS colonization was associated with an increased number of family members living with the participant (P = 0.04) and with admission to the orthopedic department (P = 0.03), while MR-CoNS colonization was associated with smoking (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Nasal colonization by unusual CoNS species and mecA-positive MR-CoNS are common among hospitalized patients. Absence of vanA and vanB genes suggests little contribution of nasal CoNS to vancomycin resistance transmission.

Introduction: Nasal carriers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are common and play an important role in nosocomial infections. The prevalence rate and characterization of nasal carriers of MRSA among medical students in Jordan has not been investigated before. Methodology: The resistance of S. aureus to several antibiotics was tested using disc diffusion method, automatic Vitek 2, and penicillin binding protein (PBP) 2 slide test. Bacterial species and resistance genes were confirmed using molecular analysis of three relevant genes by real-time PCR. Two hundred ninety nasal swabs were collected from medical students at Hashemite University from June 2015 to August 2016. All participants signed a voluntary consent form and filled a predesigned questionnaire. Results: The mean age of participants was 19.7 ± 2 years and 61.7% of them were males. 63 out of the 290 (21.7%) samples were identified to have S. aureus, 56 (19.3%) were methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and 7 (2.4%) were MRSA. S. aureus nasal colonization significantly associates with male gender (OR = 1.7, CI = 0.94-3.18, P = 0.049) and chronic illnesses (OR = 4.0, CI = 1.52-10.65, P = 0.006). Consistency between disc diffusion, Vitek 2, and PBP 2 methods for MRSA screening were satisfactory compared to molecular analysis. All MRSA samples were positive for SCCmec:orfx junction gene (MRSA-specific), nuc gene (S. aureus- specific), mecA gene (PBP-mediated resistant), and PBP2 production. All MRSA isolates were multi-drug resistant and were sensitive to Linezolid, Vancomycin, and Tigecycline. Conclusions: This study confirms that nasal colonization by MRSA among medical students necessitates further attention to prevent nosocomial infections.

Background: H. pylori antimicrobial resistance causes increasing treatment failure rates among H. pylori gastritis in children. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms of H. pylori antimicrobial resistance among Jordanian children. Methods: Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded for children referred to Prince Hamzah Hospital. Clarithromycin, Metronidazole, and Levofloxacin susceptibility were tested via E-test. Clarithromycin-related mutations were investigated using Real-Time (RT)-PCR and Levofloxacin resistance was analyzed with DNA sequencing of the gyrA gene. Results: 116 children were recruited, including 55.2% females and 55.2% in the age range of 10.1 to 14 years. A total of 82.7% were naïve to eradication therapy. H. pylori positivity was 93.9%, 89.6%, 61.7%, and 84.3% according to Rapid Urease Test, histology, culture, and RT-PCR, respectively. Resistance rates were 25.9% for Clarithromycin, 50% for Metronidazole, and 6.9% for Levofloxacin via E-test. A2142G or A2143G or a combination of both mutations concerning Clarithromycin resistance were documented in 26.1% of samples, while mutations in gyrA gen-related to Levofloxacin resistance were reported in 5.3% of samples. Antibiotic resistance was significantly affected by abdominal pain, anemia, hematemesis, and histological findings (p < 0.05). Conclusion: H. pylori resistance was documented for Metronidazole and Clarithromycin. RT-PCR for H. pylori identification and microbial resistance determination are valuable alternatives for cultures in determining antimicrobial susceptibility.

Background: Influenza remains a global health challenge, causing significant morbidity and mortality. This study explores the epidemiology of influenza A (IAV) and B (IBV) during the 2021–2023 winter seasons within a targeted Jordanian subpopulation to inform public health strategies. Methods: Nasopharyngeal swabs from patients with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in three major Jordanian cities were analyzed. RT-PCR was utilized to detect common respiratory pathogens, and specific primers identified IAV (H1N1) pdm09, H3N2, and IBV subtypes. Statistical analyses examined influenza subtype frequencies and their association with demographics and coinfection patterns. Results: IAV, IBV, and ICV were detected in 9.4%, 13.5%, and 5.5% of cases, respectively. Predominant strains were IAV (H1N1) pdm09 (55.8%), H3N2 (30.2%), and IBV Victoria lineage (98.4%). Coinfections with IAV frequently involved Bordetella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and IBV, while IBV also showed coinfections with Haemophilus influenzae type B and IAV. Conclusions: The predominance of IAV (H1N1) pdm09 and IBV Victoria lineage highlights the need for strain-specific vaccination. Frequent coinfections underscore the importance of comprehensive diagnostics. Local public health strategies should focus on increasing vaccine coverage and preventive education, especially for adults and urban populations.