For the first time since 2015, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance (GLASS) featured both global reports for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial consumption (AMC) data in its annual reports. In this study we investigated the relationship of AMR with AMC within participating countries reported in the GLASS 2022 report. Our analysis found a statistically significant correlation between beta-lactam/cephalosporin and fluoroquinolones consumption and AMR to these antimicrobials associated with bloodstream E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae among the participating countries (P<0.05). We observed that for every 1 unit increase in defined daily dose DDD of beta-lactam/cephalosporins and quinolone consumptions among the countries, increased the recoveries of bloodstream-associated beta-lactam/cephalosporins-resistant E. coli/Klebsiella spp. by 11–22% and quinolone-resistant E. coli/Klebsiella spp. by 31–40%. When we compared the antimicrobial consumptions between the antimicrobial ATC (Alphanumeric codes developed by WHO) groups and countries, we observed a statistically significant higher daily consumption of beta-lactam-penicillins (J01C, DDD difference range: 5.23–8.13) and cephalosporins (J01D, DDD difference range: 2.57–5.13) compared to other antimicrobial groups among the countries (adjusted for multiple comparisons using Tukey’s method). Between the participating countries, we observed a statistically significant higher daily consumption of antimicrobial groups in Iran (DDD difference range: 3.63–4.84) and Uganda (DDD difference range: 3.79–5.01) compared to other participating countries (adjusted for multiple comparisons using Tukey’s method). Understanding AMC and how it relates to AMR at the global scale is critical in the global AMR policy development and implementation of global antimicrobial stewardship.

Infectious diseases are largely preventable, yet they continue to pose a significant threat to public health, particularly among vulnerable populations in developing countries. Basic hygiene practices, especially hand and skin hygiene, have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of the cross-transmission of infections, including those caused by multi-drug-resistant organisms. In light of the growing global concern about antimicrobial resistance, there is an urgent need to review and reinforce these practices. This study provides a general overview of the role that hand hygiene practices play in decreasing infectious diseases by conducting a comprehensive review. Multiple online databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched using relevant keywords such as “hygiene practices”, “infectious diseases”, “public health”, “Africa”, and “sanitation”. After filtering the search results for relevancy, selected studies were narratively synthesized to present the latest data on hand hygiene and its impact on infectious diseases. Strengthening hand and skin hygiene, along with environmental sanitation and preventive measures, can help reduce the spread of nosocomial infections. By emphasizing the importance of these fundamental hygiene practices, particularly in regions where the burden of infectious diseases is highest, the development of antibiotic-resistant diseases can be prevented, improving patient safety, and enhancing public health outcomes. Adopting comprehensive hygiene policies, including regular handwashing, is crucial for reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases and improving health outcomes in developing countries.

This study was carried out to determine the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and mobile genetic elements of 16 Escherichia coli isolates—with reduced susceptibility to ceftazidime and imipenem—that were recovered from the fecal samples of coyotes and wild hogs from West Texas, USA. Whole-genome sequencing data analyses revealed distinct isolates with a unique sequence type and serotype designation. Among 16 isolates, 4 isolates were multidrug resistant, and 5 isolates harbored at least 1 beta-lactamase gene (bla_CMY-2, bla_CTX-M-55, or bla_CTX-M-27) that confers resistance to beta-lactam antimicrobials. Several isolates carried genes conferring resistance to tetracyclines (tet(A), tet(B), and tet(C)), aminoglycosides (aac(3)-IId, ant(3″)-Ia, aph(3′)-Ia, aph(3″)-lb, aadA5, and aph(6)-ld), sulfonamides (sul1, sul2, and sul3), amphenicol (floR), trimethoprim (dfrA1 and dfrA17), and macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B (MLSB) agents (Inu(F), erm(B), and mph(A)). Nine isolates showed chromosomal mutations in the promoter region G of ampC beta-lactamase gene, while three isolates showed mutations in gyrA, parC, and parE quinolone resistance-determining regions, which confer resistance to quinolones. We also detected seven incompatibility plasmid groups, with incF being the most common. Different types of virulence genes were detected, including those that enhance bacterial fitness and pathogenicity. One bla_CMY-2 positive isolate (O8:H28) from a wild hog was also a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and was a carrier of the stx2A virulence toxin subtype. We report the detection of bla_CMY-2, bla_CTX-M-55, and bla_CTX-M-27 beta-lactamase genes in E. coli from coyotes for the first time. This study demonstrates the importance of wildlife as reservoirs of important multi-drug-resistant bacteria and provides information for future comparative genomic analysis with the limited literature on antimicrobial resistance dynamics in wildlife such as coyotes.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), has emerged as a leading antimicrobial-resistant pathogen challenging global health systems and antibiotic therapy. Pigs have been identified as important reservoirs for livestock-associated MRSA. The major concern with MRSA occurrence in pigs is the potential for human transmission. Reports on the prevalence and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA strains in pigs in Nigeria are still limited, hence, the need for this study. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of MRSA and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in pig farms in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, and to determine their antibiotic resistance patterns. Methods: We collected 93 composites (n = 5; total n = 465) of faecal samples from pigs in twenty-five farms across five local government areas in Ibadan, Nigeria. Isolation of S. aureus was conducted using standard procedures. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was conducted using the disc diffusion method. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and compared with the CLSI and EUCAST standards for sensitivity and resistance. Results: The prevalence of S. aureus was 31.2%, with the proportion of MSSA and MRSA isolates being 23.7% and 7.5%, respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles revealed a high multidrug resistance prevalence among both MSSA (86.4%) and MRSA (100%). All MRSA isolates and 40.9% (9/22) of MSSA were found to be resistant to at least five different sub-classes of antibiotics. Conclusions: This study supports the existing reports on pigs being an important reservoir of highly resistant S. aureus strains. The high multidrug resistance and the occurrence of MRSA may be evidence of continuous antimicrobial exposure and substandard hygienic practices on these farms. This is undesirable because it constitutes a health hazard for farmers, veterinarians, abattoir workers, and pork consumers, who may further disseminate these highly resistant strains to their families and society. There is a need for further surveillance and a multisectoral approach involving policymakers, farmers, health practitioners, and the public in implementing good infection control practices and safe antibiotic usage from the grassroots level on farms in line with the vision of the one health approach.

The outcome of bacterial infection management relies on prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, but conventional antimicrobial susceptibility testing can be slow and labor-intensive. Therefore, this study aims to predict phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility of selected beta-lactam antimicrobials in the bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae from different beta-lactamase resistance genotypes. Using human datasets extracted from the Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance (ATLAS) program conducted by Pfizer and retail meat datasets from the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System for Enteric Bacteria (NARMS), we used a robust or weighted least square multivariable linear regression modeling framework to explore the relationship between antimicrobial susceptibility data of beta-lactam antimicrobials and different types of beta-lactamase resistance genes. In humans, in the presence of the bla_CTX-M-1, bla_CTX-M-2, bla_CTX-M-8/25, and bla_CTX-M-9 groups, MICs of cephalosporins significantly increased by values between 0.34–3.07 μg/mL, however, the MICs of carbapenem significantly decreased by values between 0.81–0.87 μg/mL. In the presence of carbapenemase genes (bla_KPC, bla_NDM, bla_IMP, and bla_VIM), the MICs of cephalosporin antimicrobials significantly increased by values between 1.06–5.77 μg/mL, while the MICs of carbapenem antimicrobials significantly increased by values between 5.39–67.38 μg/mL. In retail meat, MIC of ceftriaxone increased significantly in the presence of bla_CMY-2, bla_CTX-M-1, bla_CTX-M-55, bla_CTX-M-65, and bla_SHV-2 by 55.16 μg/mL, 222.70 μg/mL, 250.81 μg/mL, 204.89 μg/mL, and 31.51 μg/mL respectively. MIC of cefoxitin increased significantly in the presence of bla_CTX-M-65 and bla_TEM-1 by 1.57 μg/mL and 1.04 μg/mL respectively. In the presence of bla_CMY-2, MIC of cefoxitin increased by an average of 8.66 μg/mL over 17 years. Compared to E. coli isolates, MIC of cefoxitin in Salmonella enterica isolates decreased significantly by 0.67 μg/mL. On the other hand, MIC of ceftiofur increased in the presence of bla_CTX-M-1, bla_CTX-M-65, bla_SHV-2, and bla_TEM-1 by 8.82 μg/mL, 9.11 μg/mL, 8.18 μg/mL, and 1.04 μg/mL respectively. In the presence of bla_CMY-2, MIC of ceftiofur increased by an average of 10.20 μg/mL over 14 years. The ability to predict antimicrobial susceptibility of beta-lactam antimicrobials directly from beta-lactamase resistance genes may help reduce the reliance on routine phenotypic testing with higher turnaround times in diagnostic, therapeutic, and surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae.

Lactulose, a synthetic disaccharide widely used in human and veterinary medicine as a therapeutic and prebiotic, is generally assumed to be metabolized exclusively by commensal microbiota. We recently showed that non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) can also metabolize lactulose, but the genetic basis and functional consequences remain unclear. Here, we hypothesized that NTS encodes specific genetic determinants and regulatory networks for lactulose uptake, hydrolysis, and downstream metabolism. Using the globally disseminated NTS serotype S. Kentucky, we defined the lactulose-responsive transcriptome. Lactulose exposure induced a distinct gene network including candidate transporters, periplasmic binding proteins, and glycoside hydrolases predicted to cleave lactulose into galactose and fructose, with downstream metabolism via the mannitol cycle and Leloir-associated pathways. Notably, lactulose also triggered broad transcriptional remodeling that repressed genes encoding motility, fimbrial biosynthesis, and biofilm formation, resulting in significantly reduced motility and biofilm across NTS serotypes. These findings provide novel mechanistic insight into lactulose metabolism, suggesting that lactulose metabolism is concurrently associated with reduced expression of persistence-associated phenotypes in NTS under the conditions tested. This raises the possibility that lactulose exposure could influence NTS persistence in both the host-associated and environmental context. Follow-up studies are needed to validate the potential of these findings to reduce food safety and public health risks linked to persistence and transmission phenotypes.