Tarbiat Modares UniversityInfection Epidemiology and Microbiology2588-410712220260901Antibiotic Resistance and Integron Distribution in Escherichia coli Isolated from Urine Samples1011082903610.52547/iem.12.2.101ENHaidar QassimRaheemDNA Research center, University of Babylon, Al-Karameh Street-51001, Babylon state, Iraq0000-0001-8250-7777EhsanF. HusseinCollege of Science for Women, University of Babylon, Al-Karamah Street - 51001, Babylon state, IraqZahraMohamed JasimDepartment of Environmental Health , Collage of Environmental Sciences, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon, IraqMustafaRaheem TuamaDNA Research Center, University of Babylon, Al-Karamah Street - 51001, Babylon state, IraqJournal Article20260516Background: Antimicrobial resistance among uropathogenic Escherichia coli represents a growing global health concern and is largely driven by the dissemination of resistance genes through mobile genetic elements such as integrons. This study aimed to investigate antimicrobial resistance patterns and determine the prevalence of class 1 and class 2 integrons among E. coli isolates recovered from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs).Materials & Methods: A total of 100 non-duplicate E. coli isolates were obtained from urine samples collected from hospitalized patients at Al-Hilla Teaching Hospital, Babylon, Iraq. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using standard methods, and the presence of intI1 and intI2 genes was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Findings: High resistance rates were observed to ampicillin (75%), nalidixic acid (69%), and co-trimoxazole (52%), whereas gentamicin (67%) and amikacin (69%) showed the highest susceptibility rates. Multidrug resistance was detected in 65% of the isolates. PCR analysis revealed that 75% of isolates carried the intI1 gene, while intI2 was detected in 5%. The presence of intI1 was significantly associated with resistance to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, and co-trimoxazole (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The high prevalence of integron-associated multidrug resistance among E. coli isolates underscores the need for continuous surveillance and strengthened antimicrobial stewardship programs to optimize the management of UTIs.https://iem.modares.ac.ir/article_29036_16db0f01adf864f5cd063e1f02371910.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityInfection Epidemiology and Microbiology2588-410712220260901Community Circulation of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Associated with Urinary Tract Infections1091202903910.52547/iem.12.2.109ENPatrícia GuedesGarciaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil
Postgraduate Program in Collective Health, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil0000-0002-0795-6422Bianca SilvaSoaresDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil.Janita Soraia De OliveiraDa SilvaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil.Luzia MirandaDa SilvaPostgraduate Program in Collective Health, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.Luciana DebortoliDe CarvalhoDepartment of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.Marcio RobertoSilvaPostgraduate Program in Collective Health, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Embrapa Dairy Cattle, Brazilian Agricultural Research Company, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, BrazilMarcelo SilvaSilvérioPostgraduate Program in Collective Health, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, BrazilNatalia Maria Da SilvaFernandesDepartment of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.0000-0001-8728-7937Journal Article20260226Background: This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile and the occurrence of multidrug resistance (MDR) among Escherichia coli isolates recovered from urine cultures of outpatients attending a public teaching hospital in Brazil and to assess the association of sex and age with MDR.Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted based on a retrospective analysis of urine cultures collected from outpatients between January and December 2024. Descriptive statistics were applied, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with MDR.Findings: Among 1955 urine cultures analyzed, 418 (21.4%) demonstrated significant bacterial growth, with E. coli accounting for 48.3% (n=202) of the positive cultures. The highest resistance rates were to ampicillin (56.9%), ciprofloxacin (37.6%), and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (35.0%), whereas the lowest resistance rates were observed to nitrofurantoin (8.3%) and fosfomycin (3.1%). MDR was identified in 71 (35.1%) E. coli isolates, among which 24 (33.8%) exhibited an extended-spectrum β-lactamase phenotype, and three (4.2%) produced carbapenemases. In the multivariate analysis, above-median age was independently associated with MDR (adjusted OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.24–4.14)Conclusion: A substantial proportion of E. coli isolates from community-acquired urinary tract infections presented multidrug resistance, particularly among older patients. These findings emphasize the importance of local surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and periodic review of empirical treatment protocols in outpatient settings.https://iem.modares.ac.ir/article_29039_9301cb784fa8d1f29d1125c71184ab94.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityInfection Epidemiology and Microbiology2588-410712220260901Evaluation of Disinfectant Efficacy and Antimicrobial Resistance in Nosocomial Pathogens with Emphasis on Pseudomonas aeruginosa1211342904710.52547/iem.12.2.121ENSiham R.AgouriDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty
of Sciences, Benghazi University, Beng
hazi, LibyaAsmaElramliDepartment of Medical Technology, College of Science and Technology - Qaminis, Benghazi, Libya.
Alakeed Laboratory, Benghazi, Libya0009-0006-6779-2008Suad A.AjajDepartment of Medical Technology, College of Science and Technology - Qaminis, Benghazi, LibyaAhmed AZaghdaniMicrobiology department, Libyan biotechnology research Centre, Tripoli, LibyaFawzya A.Al-MajbariAlakeed Laboratory, Benghazi, Libya
Eljomhoriea Medical Hospital, Faculty
of Public Health, University of Benghazi,
LibyaSalah EdinEl MeshriMicrobiology department, Libyan biotechnology research Centre, Tripoli, LibyaAbdelmenemAbidEljomhoriea Medical Hospital, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Libya0009-0005-7902-1334GhassanTayhDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, National School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Manouba, LR16AGR01, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia.Khaled MIbrahimMicrobiology department, Libyan biotechnology research Centre, Tripoli, Libya0000-0003-3348-1448Journal Article20251010Background: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of selected disinfectants in Benghazi Medical Center hospital in Libya. Materials & Methods: A total of 64 swabs were collected from healthcare workers’ hands, and 96 samples were collected from the hospital environment. Five bacterial species isolated from these samples were selected to investigate the bactericidal efficacy of five disinfectants. Bacterial suspensions were prepared in 9 mL of broth medium and mixed with 1 mL of each disinfectant. All inoculated nutrient agar and MacConkey agar plates were incubated overnight at 37 °C. Bactericidal efficacy was assessed based on colony growth. Phenotypic expression of ESBLs (extended spectrum beta lactamases) and MBLs (metallo beta-lactamases) was assessed in all bacterial isolates. Antimicrobial resistance genes were detected by PCR (polymerase chain reaction).Findings: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus spp., and Klebsiella pneumonia were isolated and identified by microbiological and biochemical tests. All isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR). The tested disinfectants demonstrated high bactericidal efficacy against these isolates. However, P. aeruginosa was not affected by hydrogen peroxide and alcohol, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus survived in iodine-containing medium. Notably, P. aeruginosa isolates were detected as MDR strains in various hospital environments, including floors, wash basins, and even people’s hands and disinfectant bottles. Conclusion: The selection of appropriate disinfectants (or chemical sterilants) is crucial and should be based on their proven efficacy against microbial agents. Proper testing is essential to ensure the effectiveness of disinfectants and antibiotics and to prevent the dissemination of resistant bacteria within hospital environments.https://iem.modares.ac.ir/article_29047_226ad861fc651e3635a98cc062b602f6.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityInfection Epidemiology and Microbiology2588-410712220260901Phenotypic and genotypic study of biofilm formation in Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from intensive care units1351442903710.52547/iem.12.2.135ENAnitaRezaeiMSc of Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, TMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.ParyaShahbaziMSc of Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, TMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.MahboobehNazarpoorMSc of Microbiology, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.SoheilRahmani FardMSc of Biochemistry, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.SaraMinaeianAssociate Professor of Microbiology, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20260505Background: Biofilm formation supports the persistence of Acinetobacter baumannii in hospital environments and could reduce antimicrobial effectiveness. Therefore, phenotypic and genotypic studies of this bacterium in intensive care units (ICUs) could be helpful in controlling and containing infection. This study aimed to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of biofilm formation in A. baumannii isolates from ICUs.Materials & Methods: Between March and September 2021, 81 sputum-derived A. baumannii isolates were recovered from ICU patients. Species confirmation was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the blaOXA-51-like gene. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was used to determine the phenotypic resistance pattern. Biofilm formation was assessed phenotypically for all isolates. The presence of ompA, csuE, and bap genes was determined by PCR.Findings: Of the 81 patients, 42 (51.9%) were male, and 39 (48.1%) were female. Piperacillin-tazobactam (96.3%, n=78) and imipenem (93.8%, n=76) showed the highest resistance rates, while cefotaxime (56.8%, n=46) and gentamicin (46.9%, n=38) were the most effective antibiotics against the isolates. The biofilm formation ability could be described as follows: five (6.17%) isolates had no ability, while 76 (93.8%) isolates were able to form biofilm. Moderate biofilm formation was the most common biofilm pattern (n=42, 51.85%), followed by weak biofilm (n=32, 39.50%) and strong biofilm (n=2, 2.47%). Also, bap, csuE, and ompA were detected in 93.8, 86.4, and 82.7% of the isolates by PCR, respectively.Conclusion: Phenotypic and genotypic information on biofilm formation ability of commonly-found isolates in ICUs could strengthen infection control measures and antimicrobial stewardship programs.https://iem.modares.ac.ir/article_29037_c30eae095af40e4bdefe6e0f1636eea2.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityInfection Epidemiology and Microbiology2588-410712220260901Analytical Evaluation of KarbaDia, a Multiplex Immunochromatographic Assay for Rapid Detection of Major Carbapenemase Families in Gram-Negative Bacteria1451512903810.52547/iem.12.2.145ENPercevent JeremyDucrestGaDia SA, Route de l ile-au-Bois 1A, 1870 Monthey, Switzerland0000-0003-2669-746XLaurent PhilippeGilliardIndependent Researcher, 1202 Geneva, SwitzerlandCarlos AlbertoMestrinerGaDia SA, Route de l ile-au-Bois 1A, 1870 Monthey, SwitzerlandJournal Article20260226Background: Rapid detection of carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria is critical for timely antimicrobial stewardship and infection control interventions. This study evaluated the analytical diagnostic performance of KarbaDia as a new multiplex lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for rapid detection of KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP, and OXA-48-like carbapenemases. Materials & Methods: An analytical diagnostic accuracy evaluation study was conducted using 78 non-duplicate well-characterized Gram-negative bacterial isolates obtained from publicly available diversity panels. The collection included carbapenemase-producing and carbapenemase-negative isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) served as the reference standard. KarbaDia (GaDia SA, Switzerland) was evaluated in parallel with the Carbapenemase Detection Kit (Colloidal Gold; Macro & Micro-Test). Sensitivity, specificity, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each carbapenemase family and for overall assay performance. Findings: KarbaDia demonstrated 100% sensitivity for KPC (6 of 6), NDM (13 of 13), VIM (3 of 3), and IMP (2 of 2) and 90.0% for OXA-48-like enzymes (9 of 10). The overall sensitivity was 97.1% (95% CI: 85.1–99.9), while the specificity reached 100% (95% CI: 99.0–100). No false-positive results were observed. The comparator assay demonstrated similar overall sensitivity (97%) but produced four invalid results (4.8%), mainly associated with viscous K. pneumoniae colonies and incomplete chromatographic migration. Conclusion: KarbaDia demonstrated high analytical accuracy for rapid and multiplex detection of major carbapenemase families. The assay combines rapid turnaround time, multiplex capability, and ease of visual interpretation without dedicated instrumentation. These characteristics support its potential applicability in routine clinical microbiology laboratories; however, prospective multicenter clinical validation studies remain necessary before routine implementation.https://iem.modares.ac.ir/article_29038_51407c3d5b2240a30a353fa9ae7769ad.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityInfection Epidemiology and Microbiology2588-410712220260901Surveillance of Infectious Agents in Acute Febrile Illnesses in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern India1531602904110.52547/iem.12.2.153ENPriyanka KhannaChetalDepartment of Microbiology, Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar, Punjab, India0009-0002-1327-760XAshuGuptaDepartment of Microbiology Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar, Punjab, IndiaSheevaniSheemarDepartment of Microbiology Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar, Punjab, IndiaTusharTaperyalDepartment of Microbiology Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar, Punjab, IndiaSaviTaakDepartment of Microbiology Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar, Punjab, IndiaJournal Article20260224Background: Acute febrile illnesses (AFIs) are a major cause of morbidity in India, particularly during the monsoon season, posing significant diagnostic challenges due to overlapping clinical features. This study aimed to investigate the main AFI causes in northern India. Materials & Methods:This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in northern India from July 2023 to December 2024 to determine the aetiological spectrum of AFIs. A total of 8127 patients were evaluated using rapid diagnostic tests and standard microbiological methods for dengue, typhoid, hepatitis A and E, chikungunya, scrub typhus, and malaria. Findings: Dengue and typhoid were the most frequently identified AFI causes, followed by viral hepatitis and other vector-borne infections. Mixed infections were also observed, highlighting diagnostic complexity. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the importance of laboratorysupported surveillance to enable early outbreak detection, improve case management, and guide public health interventions in endemic regions.https://iem.modares.ac.ir/article_29041_6aaf618580961e7d7d50f1a6aa246fa1.pdfTarbiat Modares UniversityInfection Epidemiology and Microbiology2588-410712220260901Global Prevalence of Human Pegivirus-1 (HPgV-1) Infection among HIV-Positive Patients and the Impact of HPgV-1 on HIV Viral Load and CD4 Cell Count: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis1611752904010.52547/iem.12.2.161ENAhmadPiroozmandAutoimmune Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IranMohammadShayestehpourAutoimmune Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.Journal Article20260201Background: Human pegivirus-1 (HPgV-1) was first identified in 1996. The impact of HPgV-1 on HIV viral load and CD4 cell count is controversial. This study aimed to assess the global prevalence of HPgV-1/HIV coinfection and the impact of HPgV-1 on HIV viral load and CD4 cell count. Materials & Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, ProQuest, Cochrane, and Global Index Medicus (GIM) up to January 2026. The I2 statistic and Cochran’s Q test were used to assess heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses were carried out to find potential causes of heterogeneity. Funnel plot and Egger’s test were used to assess publication bias.Findings: A total of 86 studies with 19050 HIV-positive cases, published from 1997 to 2023 and covering 36 different countries, were included in this meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of HPgV-1 among HIV-positive patients was 25.3%. The prevalence of HIV/ HPgV-1 coinfection in different continents was as follows: 26.5% in Africa, 21.9% in Asia, 26.7% in Europe, 24.6% in North America, and 25.1% in South America. The overall mean of CD4 cell count was significantly different between HPgV-1-positive and HPgV-1-negative patients, while the overall mean of HIV viral load was not significantly different.Conclusion: In this meta-analysis, the global prevalence of HPgV-1/HIV coinfection was 25.3%, with coinfected patients showing higher CD4 cell counts (p= .004) but no impact on HIV viral load. The results suggest that HPgV-1 may modulate HIV progression, though mechanisms remain unclear. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to confirm clinical significance and explore genotype-specific effects.https://iem.modares.ac.ir/article_29040_8bd6aa50162ebeffc7294b652bc3ea4f.pdf