Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of healthcare associated infections globally. New mecA homologue (mecC), was first reported in the UK and Denmark. The mecC mediated MRSA is resistant only to Β-lactams antibiotics and is sensitive to other antibiotics. Detecting the prevalence of mecC MRSA provides more options in treatment of MRSA infections. The aim of this study was to prevalence of mecC gene in clinical isolates of MRSA in Ain-Shams university hospitals & to correlate Minimal Inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Oxacillin with the mecC gene expression in MRSA isolates. Fifty MRSA isolates were collected from different intensive care units (ICUs) of Ain-Shams university hospital from April-December 2018. Methicillin resistance was detected by Cefoxitin disc, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done for all isolates and its results were interpreted according to Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines 2018. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration of Oxacillin was detected using Oxacillin E-test and the results were interpreted according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then Polymerase Chain Reaction was done to detect mecA and mecC genes among MRSA isolates. Fifty isolates were identified as MRSA by Cefoxitin disc out of 163 samples. Twelve isolates were sensitive to Oxacillin while 38 isolates were resistant to Oxacillin. All isolates were positive to mecA gene while only 3 isolates were positive to both mecA and mecC genes. MecC is a new emerging gene responsible for methicillin resistance in staphylococci and was detected in 6 % of the isolates in this study.

Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) causes life threatening infections. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology is anticipated to produce new therapeutic products for biomedical uses. One of these compounds, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), is with promising antibacterial and anti-biofilm characteristics. Aim of the work: To evaluate the anti-microbial and anti-biofilm activities of AgNPs against MDR K. pneumoniae clinical isolates in Ain-Shams university hospitals. Methodology: The study was conducted on fifty MDR K. pneumoniae. The isolates were retrieved from Ain Shams university Microbiology laboratory. The biofilm-forming activity was tested by a microtiter plate based on crystal violet staining, the AgNPs were synthesized biologically and characterized by different methods. The antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of biosynthesized AgNPs were investigated against selected strains using standard methods. Results: The results revealed that all isolates were resistant to tested antibiotics and biofilm-forming ability was detected in 28/50 (56%) isolates. The antibacterial activities of AgNPs showed that all isolates were susceptible to AgNPs with Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ranging from 15.625 μg /ml to 125 μg /ml. Also, AgNPs significantly reduced the biofilm formation as 26/28 of isolates became non-biofilm producers (0) and 2/28 became weak. Silver nanoparticles showed minimal cytotoxic concentration (conc.) up to 100 percent and 99.42 percent viability on normal human lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5) cell lines treated with AgNPs at conc. of 2 μg/ml and 3.9 μg/ml respectively. Conclusion: Multi drug resistant K. pneumoniae is a rising problem and the rate of biofilm formation in these isolates is high. Silver nanoparticles exhibit good antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against them.

Background and Objectives: The rising prevalence of drug-resistant organisms presents a significant challenge to healthcare, underscoring the importance of implementing effective antimicrobial stewardship programs. The success of these programs depends on access to accurate, evidence-based data reflecting local patterns of antibiotic resistance. This study aims to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of gram-positive bacteria isolated from pediatric patients in a tertiary care hospital in Egypt. Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective study over a five-year period, from January 2018 to December 2022, using microbiology laboratory records. Clinical samples included blood, urine, respiratory secretions, pus, wound, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and pleural fluid. The analysis focused on the resistance patterns of gram-positive pathogens identified through routine culture procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method, and vancomycin MIC was confirmed using the VITEK 2 system. Results: A total of 3223 gram-positive bacterial isolates were identified. Staphylococcus aureus, including 82.5% methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), exhibited high resistance to erythromycin (47.3%) and gentamicin (low potency) (32.1%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) showed the highest erythromycin resistance (up to 88.3%), while Enterococcus spp. demonstrated declining susceptibility to vancomycin, levofloxacin, and erythromycin. Across all isolates, vancomycin and gentamicin (high potency) showed the highest overall susceptibility. Resistance to cotrimoxazole and doxycycline declined over the five-year period. Conclusions: While a decline in resistance was noted for some agents, persistent resistance to key antibiotics (particularly erythromycin and gentamicin) among MRSA and CoNS remains concerning. These findings underscore the importance of targeted antimicrobial stewardship interventions and continuous surveillance to inform empirical therapy in pediatric settings.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common healthcare-associated infections that lead to higher morbidity, longer hospital stays, and increased costs. Despite global efforts to reduce their incidence, limited data exist on SSIs in secondary healthcare settings, emphasizing the need for further research to guide prevention and control. Aim: To determine the attack rate, associated factors, and evaluate adherence to the SSIs prevention bundle at King Khalid Hospital (KKH), Hail City, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study included 162 adult patients undergoing various surgeries at KKH. Patients were followed for 30 days postoperatively, including outpatient visits, to detect superficial incisional SSIs. Statistical analysis was performed to identify associations between risk factors and SSI occurrence. Results: The overall attack rate of superficial incisional SSIs was 2.5% (4/162). Two cases were detected post-discharge, and one required readmission. Among identified SSIs, three presented with tenderness, two with fever, and two showed wound dehiscence. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from one case. Compliance with prevention bundles was high: 99.4% received timely prophylactic antibiotics and 98.1% discontinued within recommended timeframes. Conclusions: This study shows a low superficial SSI rate in a secondary hospital with high adherence to prevention bundles. Findings highlight the importance of standardized antibiotic protocols and post-discharge surveillance. Implementing care bundles is critical in reducing SSIs.