Antimicrobial Resistance in Qatar: Prevalence and Trends before and Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global healthcare challenge with substantial morbidity, mortality, and management costs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a documented increase in antimicrobial consumption, particularly for severe and critical cases, as well as noticeable travel and social restriction measures that might influenced the spectrum of AMR. To evaluate the problem, retrospective data were collected on bacterial infections and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Qatar before and after the pandemic from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021, covering 53,183 pathogens isolated from reported infection episodes. The findings revealed a significant resistance pattern for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-EBC), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CR-EBC), and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). For correlation with social restrictions, ESBL-EBC and MRSA were positively correlated with changing patterns of international travel (ρ = 0.71 and 0.67, respectively; p < 0.05), while CRPA was moderately correlated with the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients (ρ = 0.49; p < 0.05). CREBC and CRPA respiratory infections were associated with hospitalized patients (OR: 3.08 and 2.00, respectively; p < 0.05). The findings emphasize the challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and links to international travel, which probably will influence the local epidemiology of AMR that needs further surveillance and control strategies.

Rapid Visual Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Human Clinical Samples via Closed LAMP Assay Targeting mecA and spa Genes.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), poses a significant global health threat as these bacteria increasingly become resistant to the most available therapeutic options. Thus, developing an efficient approach to rapidly screen MRSA directly from clinical specimens has become vital. In this study, we establish a closed-tube loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method incorporating hydroxy-naphthol blue (HNB) colorimetric dye assay to directly detect MRSA from clinical samples based on the presence of mecA and spa genes. In total, 125 preidentified S. aureus isolates and 93 clinical samples containing S. aureus were sourced from the microbiology laboratory at Hamad General Hospital (HGH). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were computed based on conventional PCR. The assay demonstrated 100% specificity, 91.23% sensitivity, 0.90 Cohen Kappa (CK), 100% PPV, and 87.8% NPV for the clinical samples, while clinical isolates exhibited 100% specificity, 97% sensitivity, 0.926 CK, 100% PPV, and 88.89% NPV. Compared to cefoxitin disk diffusion, LAMP provided 100% specificity and sensitivity, 1.00 CK, and 100% for PPV and NPV. The study revealed that the closed-tube LAMP incorporating (HNB) dye is a rapid technique with a turnaround time of less than 1 h and high specificity and sensitivity.

Whole genome-based genetic insights of blaNDM producing clinical E. coli isolates in hospital settings of Pakistan.

Carbapenem resistance among Enterobacterales has become a global health concern. Clinical Escherichia coli isolates producing the metallo ß-lactamase NDM have been isolated from two hospitals in Faisalabad, Pakistan. These E. coli strains were characterized by MALDI-TOF, PCR, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, XbaI and S1 nuclease pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), conjugation assay, DNA hybridization, whole genome sequencing, bioinformatic analysis, and Galleria mellonella experiments. Thirty-four blaNDM producing E. coli strains were identified among 52 nonduplicate carbapenem-resistant strains. More than 90% of the isolates were found to be multidrug resistant by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. S1 PFGE confirmed the presence of blaNDM gene on plasmids ranging from 40 kbps to 250 kbps, and conjugation assays demonstrated transfer frequencies of blaNDM harboring plasmids ranging from 1.59 × 10-1 to 6.46 × 10-8 per donor. Whole genome sequencing analysis revealed blaNDM-5 as the prominent NDM subtype with the highest prevalence of blaOXA-1, blaCTX-M-15, aadA2, aac(6')-Ib-cr, and tet(A) associated resistant determinants. E. coli sequence types: ST405, ST361, and ST167 were prominent, and plasmid Inc types: FII, FIA, FIB, FIC, X3, R, and Y, were observed among all isolates. The genetic environment of blaNDM region on IncF plasmids included partial ISAba125, the bleomycin ble gene, and a class I integron. The virulence genes terC, traT, gad, fyuA, irp2, capU, and sitA were frequently observed, and G. mellonella experiments showed that virulence correlated with the number of virulence determinants. A strong infection control management in the hospital is necessary to check the emergence of carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria.IMPORTANCEWe describe a detailed analysis of highly resistant clinical E. coli isolates from two tertiary care centers in Pakistan including carbapenem resistance as well as common co-resistance mechanisms. South Asia has a huge problem with highly resistant E. coli. However, we find that though these isolates are very difficult to treat they are of low virulence. Thus the Western world has an increasing problem with virulent E. coli that are mostly of low antibiotic resistance, whereas, South Asia has an increasing problem with highly resistant E. coli that are of low virulence potential. These observations allow us to start to devise methodologies to limit both virulence and resistance and combat problems in developing nations as well as the Western world.

Bacterial indoor air contaminations in hospitals in MENA region: a systematic review.

Poor indoor air quality in healthcare settings has been tied with the increase in hospital-acquired infections. Thus, this systematic review was conducted to assess the levels and compositions of bacteria in indoor hospital air in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We examined results provided by different search engines published between 2000 and 2021. Our data showed that most studies were conducted in Iran (80.9%) with a bacterial concentration mean of 172.9 CFU/m3. Comparing sensitive and non-sensitive areas of hospitals, no significant difference was detected in the mean bacterial concentration. The most investigated sensitive hospital areas were operating rooms and intensive care units with mean indoor bacterial concentrations of 180.3 CFU/m3 and 204.6 CFU/m3, respectively. Staphylococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Bacillaceae were commonly identified bacterial families. In conclusion, the mean concentrations of the airborne bacteria were within the acceptable limit compared to WHO standards (300 CFU/m3) for the air in areas occupied by immunosuppressed people.

Assessment of Indoor Air Quality of Four Primary Health Care Centers in Qatar.

Airborne bacteria pose a potential risk to human health upon inhalation in the indoor environments of health care facilities. Airborne bacteria may originate from various sources, including patients, workers, and daily visitors. Hence, this study investigates the quantity, size, and identification of airborne bacteria indoors and outdoors of four Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) in Doha, Qatar. Air samples were collected from the lobby, triage room, and outside environment of the centers, including, Qatar University (QU-HC), Al-Rayyan (AR-HC), Umm-Ghuwailina (UG-HC), and Old Airport (OA-HC) between August 2020 and March 2021, throughout both the hot and the cold seasons. Samples were collected using an Anderson six-stage cascade impactor. The mean of the total colony-forming units was calculated per cubic meter of air (CFU/m3). QU-HC had the lowest mean of total bacterial count compared with other centers in the indoor and outdoor areas with 100.4 and 99.6 CFU/m3, respectively. In contrast, AR-HC had the highest level, with 459 CFU/m3 indoors, while OA-HC recorded the highest bacterial concentration of the outdoor areas with a total mean 377 CFU/m3. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed for genera identification. Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas were the four most frequently identified bacterial genera in this study. The abundance of airborne bacteria in the four health centers was higher in the cold season. About 46% of the total airborne bacterial count for three PHCC centers exceeded 300 CFU/m3, making them uncompliant with the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation for indoor settings. Consequently, an IAQ standards should be shaped to establish a baseline for measuring air pollution in Qatar. Additionally, it is crucial to understand seasonal fluctuations better so that hospitals can avoid rising and spreading infection peaks.

Seroprevalence of camel brucellosis in Qatar.

Brucellosis is a significant zoonotic disease and one of the most common neglected diseases worldwide. It can infect a wide range of domestic and wild animal species. Infected animals are usually culled, causing substantial economic losses to animal owners and the country's economy in general. The disease is endemic among cattle, sheep, and goats in many countries around the Middle East and prevalent in most Gulf Cooperation Council countries, comprising a significant public health risk in the region. This study investigated the seroprevalence of brucellosis among camels in Qatar. Two hundred and forty-eight samples were collected from dromedary camels from 28 farms across the entire country. Each sample was tested for Brucella antibodies with both Rose Bengal and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Only samples that tested positive by both tests were considered seropositive for brucellosis. The overall prevalence was (20.6%, 95% CI, 15.7-26.1). The association between sex and seropositivity was slightly significant (Χ2 = 4.32, P = 0.04), with higher seroprevalence in females. Camels below breeding age (i.e., < 4 years old) showed decreased seropositivity (3.4%, 95% CI, 0.1-17.8), compared to (22.8%, 95% CI, 17.4-29.0) seropositivity in camels ≥ 4 years of age, with a significant association between age groups and seropositivity (P = 0.02). Our results indicate that the seroprevalence of brucellosis in Qatar's camels is alarming, mandating more efforts to control the disease. The findings of this study will aid in selecting better effective measures to control camel brucellosis in Qatar. Further studies need to be conducted on Brucella infection among camels to determine the predisposing risk factors and the steps that should be followed to control brucellosis.

Transmissibility and Persistence of the Plasmid-Borne Mobile Colistin Resistance Gene, mcr-1, Harbored in Poultry-Associated E. coli.

Colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, is used to treat infections caused by multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Colistin resistance can emerge by acquiring the mobile colistin gene, mcr-1, usually plasmid borne. Studies on mcr-1 and its transmissibility are limited in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Here, we investigated the occurrence of mcr-1 in 18 previously collected Escherichia coli isolates collected from chicken samples in Qatar; whole-genome sequencing was performed to determine the location (plasmid-borne and chromosomal) of mcr-1 in the isolates. Additionally, we assessed the transmissibility of plasmid-borne mcr-1 and its cost on fitness in E. coli biofilms. Our results showed that the E. coli isolates belonged to different sequence types, indicating that mcr-1 was occurring in strains with diverse genetic backgrounds. In silico analysis and transformation assays showed that all the isolates carried mcr-1 on plasmids that were mainly IncI2 types. All the mcr-1 plasmids were found to be transmissible by conjugation. In biofilms, a significant reduction in the number of CFU (≈0.055 logs CFU/mL) and colistin resistance (≈2.19 log CFU/mL) was observed; however, the reduction in resistance was significantly larger, indicating that the plasmids incur a high fitness cost. To our knowledge, this is the first study that investigates mcr-1 transmissibility and persistence in Qatar. Our findings highlight that mcr has the potential to spread colistin resistance to potentially disparate strains and niches in Qatar, posing a risk that requires intervention.

Retail Chicken Carcasses as a Reservoir of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella.

Salmonella is a major cause of foodborne disease outbreaks worldwide, mainly through poultry. Recently, there has been an increase in multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella infections globally. The increased drug resistance results in increased costs and poorer health outcomes due to unavailability or delayed treatment. This study aims to determine the prevalence of Salmonella in retail raw chicken meat and identify their antimicrobial resistance profiles. A total of 270 retail raw chicken carcasses (local and imported) were collected from three hypermarket chains in Qatar between November 2017 and April 2018. Thirty carcasses were contaminated with Salmonella (11.11%). The prevalence of Salmonella in locally produced chicken was higher than in imported chicken (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.18-5.53, p = 0.016). No significant differences were found between the prevalence and storage temperature or hypermarket chain. The highest resistance rates in the isolates were reported to tetracycline (73.7%) followed by nitrofurantoin (53.3%), ampicillin (50%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone (26.7%), and ciprofloxacin (23.3%). Eight isolates were potential extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producers, all in imported frozen chicken (p < 0.0001). Additionally, 43.3% of the isolates were MDR and associated with frozen chicken (OR = 16.88, 95% CI: 2.55-111.47, p = 0.002). The findings indicate that while the prevalence of Salmonella in retail chicken in Qatar is moderate, a large proportion of them are MDR.

Antibiotics Prescribing in Intensive Care Settings during the COVID-19 Era: A Systematic Review.

The prevalence of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) with SARS-CoV-2 infection who were prescribed antibiotics is undetermined and might contribute to the increased global antibiotic resistance. This systematic review evaluates the prevalence of antibiotic prescribing in patients admitted to ICUs with SARS-CoV-2 infection using PRISMA guidelines. We searched and scrutinized results from PubMed and ScienceDirect databases for published literature restricted to the English language up to 11 May 2021. In addition, we included observational studies of humans with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, clinical characteristics, and antibiotics prescribed for ICU patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections. A total of 361 studies were identified, but only 38 were included in the final analysis. Antibiotic prescribing data were available from 2715 patients, of which prevalence of 71% was reported in old age patients with a mean age of 62.7 years. From the reported studies, third generation cephalosporin had the highest frequency amongst reviewed studies (36.8%) followed by azithromycin (34.2%). The estimated bacterial infection in 12 reported studies was 30.8% produced by 15 different bacterial species, and S. aureus recorded the highest bacterial infection (75%). The fundamental outcomes were the prevalence of ICU COVID-19 patients prescribed antibiotics stratified by age, type of antibiotics prescribed, and the presence of co-infections and comorbidities. In conclusion, more than half of ICU patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection received antibiotics, and prescribing is significantly higher than the estimated frequency of identified bacterial co-infection.

Whole-Genome Sequencing for Molecular Characterization of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Causing Lower Urinary Tract Infection among Pediatric Patients.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health problem globally, incurring health and cost burdens. The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections has increased significantly over the years. Gram-negative bacteria display the broadest resistance range, with bacterial species expressing extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC, and carbapenemases. All carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) isolates from pediatric urinary tract infections (UTIs) between October 2015 and November 2019 (n = 30). All isolates underwent antimicrobial resistance phenotypic testing using the Phoenix NMIC/ID-5 panel, and carbapenemase production was confirmed using the NG-Test CARBA 5 assay. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on the CREs. The sequence type was identified using the Achtman multi-locus sequence typing scheme, and antimicrobial resistance markers were identified using ResFinder and the CARD database. The most common pathogens causing CRE UTIs were E. coli (63.3%) and K. pneumoniae (30%). The most common carbapenemases produced were OXA-48-like enzymes (46.6%) and NDM enzymes (40%). Additionally, one E. coli harbored IMP-26, and two K. pneumoniae possessed mutations in ompK37 and/or ompK36. Lastly, one E. coli had a mutation in the marA porin and efflux pump regulator. The findings highlight the difference in CRE epidemiology in the pediatric population compared to Qatar's adult population, where NDM carbapenemases are more common.

Profiling of Intestinal Microbiota in Patients Infected with Respiratory Influenza A and B Viruses.

Little is known about the association between respiratory viral infections and their impact on intestinal microbiota. Here, we compared the effect of influenza types, A and B, and influenza shedding in patients' stools on the gut microbiota diversity and composition. Deep sequencing analysis was performed for the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Fecal samples were collected from 38 adults with active respiratory influenza infection and 11 age-matched healthy controls. Influenza infection resulted in variations in intestinal bacterial community composition rather than in overall diversity. Overall, infected patients experienced an increased abundance of Bacteroidetes and a corresponding decrease in Firmicutes. Differential abundance testing illustrated that differences in gut microbiota composition were influenza type-dependent, identifying ten differentially abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) between influenza A- and influenza B-infected patients. Notably, virus shedding in fecal samples of some patients had significantly reduced gut bacterial diversity (p = 0.023). Further taxonomic analysis revealed that the abundance of Bacteroides fragilis was significantly higher among shedders compared to non-shedders (p = 0.037). These results provide fundamental evidence of the direct effect of influenza infection on gut microbiota diversity, as reported in patients shedding the virus.

Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Gene Patterns Associated with Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) from Broiler Chickens in Qatar.

Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is the contributing agent behind the avian infectious disease colibacillosis, which causes substantial fatalities in poultry industries that has a significant impact on the economy and food safety. Several virulence genes have been shown to be concomitant with the extraintestinal survival of APEC. This study investigates the antibiotic resistance patterns and APEC-associated virulence genes content in Escherichia coli isolated from non-healthy and healthy broiler chickens from a commercial poultry farm in Qatar. A total of 158 E. coli strains were isolated from 47 chickens from five different organs (air sac, cloacal, kidney, liver, and trachea). Based on genetic criteria, 65% were APEC strains containing five or more virulence genes, and 34% were non-pathogenic E. coli (NPEC) strains. The genes ompT, hlyF, iroN, tsh, vat, iss, cvi/cva, and iucD were significantly prevalent in all APEC strains. E. coli isolates showed 96% resistance to at least one of the 18 antibiotics, with high resistance to ampicillin, cephalothin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and fosfomycin. Our findings indicate high antibiotic resistance prevalence in non-healthy and healthy chicken carcasses. Such resistant E. coli can spread to humans. Hence, special programs are required to monitor the use of antibiotics in chicken production in Qatar.

The Spectrum of Antibiotic Prescribing During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review.

Objectives: Over the last decades, there has been a significant increase in antimicrobial prescribing and consumption associated with the development of patients' adverse events and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to the point of becoming a global priority. This study aims at evaluating antibiotic prescribing during COVID-19 pandemic from November 2019 to December 2020. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted primarily through the NCBI database, using PRISMA guidelines to identify relevant literature for the period between November 1, 2019 and December 19, 2020, using the keywords: COVID-19 OR SARS-Cov-2 AND antibiotics restricted to the English language excluding nonclinical articles. Five hundred twenty-seven titles were identified; all articles fulfilling the study criteria were included, 133 through the NCBI, and 8 through Google Scholar with a combined total of 141 studies. The patient's spectrum included all ages from neonates to elderly with all associated comorbidities, including immune suppression. Results: Of 28,093 patients included in the combined studies, 58.7% received antibiotics (16,490/28,093), ranging from 1.3% to 100% coverage. Antibiotics coverage was less in children (57%) than in adults with comorbidities (75%). Broad-spectrum antibiotics were prescribed presumptively without pathogen identifications, which might contribute to adverse outcomes. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant and wide range of antibiotic prescribing in patients affected by the disease, particularly in adults with underlying comorbidities, despite the paucity of evidence of associated bacterial infections. The current practice might increase patients' immediate and long-term risks of adverse events, susceptibility to secondary infections as well as aggravating AMR.

Multifunctional Oil Absorption with Macroporous Polystyrene Fibers Incorporating Silver-Doped ZnO.

Hydrophobic microporous polystyrene (PS) fibers are fabricated by a solvent-induced phase-separation-assisted electrospinning method. Zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver-doped zinc oxide (Ag-ZnO) nanomaterials with variable morphologies are added to the PS fibers, to investigate the influence of multifunctional nanofiller addition on the porosity and consequent oil-adsorbing properties for different oil types. The doping of silver as well as the uniformity in particle distribution are confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and the energy-dispersive spectral analyses. The porosity of the fibers and their crystallinity effect depend on the hydrophobicity and surface properties of these microporous nanofilled fibers. Ag-ZnO, specifically in 2 wt %, enhanced the pore size and distribution in PS porous fibers, thereby enhancing the oil-adsorbing property and its hydrophobicity. In-depth analysis of the oil adsorption mechanism is done for the fibers, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to demonstrate its correlation with the structural integrity of the fibers. The PS/2Ag-ZnO composite also exhibits the highest antibacterial performance against Staphylococcus aureus, a general indication of antibiological fouling properties of these oil-separating films. The antifouling/antibacterial activity of the nanoparticles and high oil sorption capacity of the highly porous PS composites show great potential for use in water-treatment-related applications.

Identification of mcr-8 in Clinical Isolates From Qatar and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Profiles.

This study was performed to investigate the genotypic causes of colistin resistance in 18 colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 13), Escherichia coli (n = 3) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 2) isolates from patients at the Hamad General Hospital, Qatar. MIC testing for colistin was performed using Phoenix (BD Biosciences, Heidelberg, Germany) and then verified with SensiTest Colistin (Liofilchem, Zona Ind. le, Italy). Strains determined to be resistant (MIC > 4-16 µg/mL) were then whole-genome sequenced (MiSeq, Illumina, Inc.). Sequences were processed and analysed using BacPipe v1.2.6, a bacterial whole genome sequencing analysis pipeline. Known chromosomal modifications were determined using CLC Genomics Workbench v.9.5.3 (CLCbio, Denmark). Two K. pneumoniae isolates (KPN-15 and KPN-19) harboured mcr-8.1 on the IncFII(K) plasmids, pqKPN-15 and pqKPN-19, and belonged to ST383 and ST716, respectively. One E. coli isolate harboured mcr-1.1 on the IncI2 plasmid pEC-12. The other 15 isolates harboured known chromosomal mutations linked to colistin resistance in the PhoPQ two-component system. Also, three K. pneumoniae strains (KPN-9, KPN-10 and KPN-15) showed disruptions due to IS elements in mgrB. To our knowledge, this marks the first description of mcr-8.1 in K. pneumoniae of human origin in Qatar. Currently, more research is necessary to trace the source of mcr-8.1 and its variants in humans in this region.

Prevalence of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates from Local and Imported Retail Chicken Carcasses.

ABSTRACT: The spread of antibiotic resistance among bacterial strains has been associated with consumption of food contaminated with both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli isolates in local and imported retail raw chicken meat in Qatar. A total of 270 locally produced (chilled) and imported (chilled or frozen) whole chicken carcasses were obtained from three Hypermarket stores in Qatar. The 216 E. coli isolates recovered from the chicken samples were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing with the disk diffusion method. Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) production was evaluated with the double disk synergy test. Isolates harboring colistin resistance were identified with a multiplex PCR assay and DNA sequencing. Nearly 89% (192) of the 216 isolates were resistant to at least one of the 18 antibiotics tested. Isolates from local and imported chicken carcasses had relatively higher resistance to sulfamethoxazole (62% of isolates), tetracycline (59.7%), ampicillin and trimethoprim (52.3% each), ciprofloxacin (47.7%), cephalothin (45.4%), and colistin (31.9%). Less resistance was found to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (6%), ceftriaxone (5.1%), nitrofurantoin (4.2%), piperacillin-tazobactam (4.2%), cefepime (2.3%), meropenem (1.4%), ertapenem (0.9%), and amikacin (0.9%). Nine isolates (4.2%) were ESBL producers, and 137 (63.4%) were multidrug resistant. The percentages of multidrug-resistant, ESBL-producing, and colistin resistant isolates were significantly higher among isolates from local chilled than from imported chilled and frozen chicken samples. Our findings indicate the high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in chicken meat sold at retail in Qatar.

Two new sponge species (Demospongiae: Chalinidae and Suberitidae) isolated from hyperarid mangroves of Qatar with notes on their potential antibacterial bioactivity.

This study presents the taxonomic description of two new sponge species that are intimately associated with the hyperarid mangrove ecosystem of Qatar. The study includes a preliminary evaluation of the sponges' potential bioactivity against pathogens. Chalinula qatari sp. nov. is a fragile thinly encrusting sponge with a vivid maroon colour in life, often with oscular chimneys and commonly recorded on pneumatophores in the intertidal and shallow subtidal zone. Suberites luna sp. nov. is a massive globular-lobate sponge with a greenish-black colour externally and a yellowish orange colour internally, recorded on pneumatophores in the shallow subtidal zone, with large specimens near the seagrass ecosystem that surrounds the mangrove. For both species, a drug extraction protocol and an antibacterial experiment was performed. The extract of Suberites luna sp. nov. was found to be bioactive against recognized pathogens such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, but no bioactive activity was recorded for Chalinula qatari sp. nov. This study highlights the importance of increasing bioprospecting effort in hyperarid conditions and the importance of combining bioprospecting with taxonomic studies for the identification of novel marine drugs.

Antimicrobial Resistance of Commensal Escherichia coli Isolated from Food Animals in Qatar.

Objectives: This study aims at evaluating the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of 18 clinically relevant antibiotics in food animals in Qatar. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples from camels, cattle, and pigeons (300) were collected from different slaughterhouses and farms. Escherichia coli isolates were recovered on selective media, confirmed biochemically, and tested for antibiotic susceptibility using a disk diffusion assay. Any isolate that showed resistance to colistin was confirmed using the E-test and polymerase chain reaction for mcr genes. Results: Overall, a total of 88.7% (n = 266/300) recovery rate was achieved from all samples. Resistance to at least one antibiotic was recorded in 70.7% of pigeons, 37.2% of cattle, and only 20.8% of camel samples. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was highest in isolates from pigeons, 50% (n = 44). Moreover, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections) resistance was present in 22.2% (n = 59) of all E. coli isolates. Only one E. coli isolate from a pigeon showed resistance to colistin (mcr-1 gene encoded), a drug of last resort in human medicine against gram-negative bacterial infection. Conclusions: We previously reported high multidrug resistance of E. coli in chickens, with significant resistance to colistin. We observed a lower AMR profile in ruminants. The high resistance profile observed in pigeons (70.7%), including high multidrug resistance (50%), is alarming as these animals could rapidly disseminate resistant bacteria to various locations. Continuous monitoring of AMR in livestock in Qatar is necessary toward introducing an antimicrobial stewardship program and control of antibiotic usage in the veterinary sector.