Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 23, 2025

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
08:58

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

6.5K

Community-acquired antimicrobial resistance among Syrian refugees and the local population in Türkiye

Serap Süzük Yıldız1, Can Hüseyin Hekimoğlu1, Mustafa Bahadır Sucaklı2

  • 1Department of Microbiology Reference Laboratory and Biological Product, Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, Ankara, Türkiye.

European Journal of Public Health
|July 19, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Syrian refugees in Türkiye showed higher rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) bacteria carriage compared to the local population. This study highlights antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns in migrant communities.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • The global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pandemic is complex, exacerbated by forced migration.
  • Limited data exists on AMR patterns within migrant populations.
  • This study addresses AMR in Syrian refugees and local communities in Türkiye.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the carriage frequency of common antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (extended-spectrum β-lactamase [ESBL], methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], vancomycin-resistant enterococci [VRE]) among Syrian refugees and the local population in Türkiye.
  • To compare AMR prevalence between these two groups.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of nasal and stool samples from 3960 participants (1453 local community, 2525 Syrian refugees) between September 2020 and March 2021.
  • Screening of clinical samples for ESBL, MRSA, and VRE.
  • Phenotypic analysis of antimicrobial-resistant isolates to confirm AMR status.

Main Results:

  • Syrian refugees had a significantly higher carriage rate of MRSA (6.7%) compared to the local community (3.2%) (P < 0.001).
  • ESBL-positivity rates were 17.9% in refugees versus 14.3% in the local community (P = 0.041).
  • Carbapenemase activity was found in three refugee isolates; no vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were detected in either group.

Conclusions:

  • This is the first large, community-based study in Türkiye investigating AMR frequency and distribution among Syrian refugees and the local population.
  • Findings indicate a higher prevalence of specific resistant bacteria, like MRSA, in the refugee population.
  • The study underscores the importance of monitoring AMR in migrant communities to inform public health strategies.

More Related Videos

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance09:00

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

11.8K
Application of the Intelligent High-Throughput Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing/Phage Screening System and Lar Index of Antimicrobial Resistance09:59

Application of the Intelligent High-Throughput Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing/Phage Screening System and Lar Index of Antimicrobial Resistance

Published on: July 21, 2023

1.3K

Related Concept Videos

Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
42
Antimicrobial Effectiveness01:28

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
50