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

Hassan Al Mana1, Hamad Abdel Hadi2, Godwin Wilson3

  • 1Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar.

Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 27, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) increased during COVID-19, with higher rates of resistant bacteria like ESBL-EBC and MRSA linked to international travel. Hospitalized patients were more prone to carbapenem-resistant infections, highlighting the pandemic's impact on AMR.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic saw increased antimicrobial use and altered social behaviors, potentially impacting AMR patterns.
  • Understanding AMR trends during this period is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the changes in bacterial infections and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Qatar before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To investigate the correlation between AMR trends and pandemic-related factors like social restrictions and international travel.
  • To identify specific resistant pathogens and their association with patient populations.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of bacterial isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility data from January 2019 to December 2021 in Qatar.
  • Inclusion of 53,183 pathogens from reported infection episodes.
  • Statistical correlation analysis between AMR patterns and international travel data, social restrictions, and COVID-19 hospitalization rates.

Main Results:

  • Significant increases in resistance were observed for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-EBC), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CR-EBC), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
  • ESBL-EBC and MRSA showed positive correlations with international travel patterns (ρ = 0.71 and 0.67).
  • CRPA resistance was moderately correlated with COVID-19 hospitalized patients (ρ = 0.49), and CREBC and CRPA respiratory infections were associated with hospitalized patients (OR: 3.08 and 2.00).

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced the local epidemiology of AMR in Qatar.
  • International travel patterns and hospitalization rates were linked to the rise of specific resistant bacterial strains.
  • Enhanced surveillance and control strategies are necessary to manage AMR in the post-pandemic era.
Keywords:
AMRCOVID-19Qatarbacterial co-infectionhospital

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