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418573

Comprehensive Microbiological and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiling of Respiratory Pathogens

Article

Last updated: 29 Mar 2025

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Subjects

-

Tags

Antimicrobial agents

Abstract

Background: Respiratory tract infections RTIs represent a major global health concern, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries LMICs. The increasing burden of antimicrobial resistance AMR has further complicated the management of RTIs, limiting available treatment options and increasing healthcare costs. Smoking has been widely recognized as a significant risk factor for RTIs, compromising pulmonary immune defenses and promoting chronic colonization by multidrug-resistant MDR pathogens. However, limited data exist on the interplay between smoking and AMR trends in Iraq, a country experiencing rising antibiotic resistance rates due to unregulated antibiotic use and healthcare disruptions. Objectives: The aim of this study is to Identify and compare the microbial spectrum of respiratory pathogens in smokers and non-smokers with RTI, to analyze antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and assess resistance trends in both groups and to investigate the potential association between smoking and MDR bacterial infections. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Hakeem Hospital, Najaf, Iraq, between May and July 2024. A total of 35 sputum samples were collected from hospitalized and outpatient individuals diagnosed with RTIs. Bacterial and fungal pathogens were identified using culture-based methods and the VITEK 2 automated system. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing AST was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute CLSI 2024 guidelines. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests and logistic regression models, were performed using SPSS v.25, with p-values <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The most frequently isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus 20%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 17%, and Streptococcus pneumoniae 14%. MDR prevalence was significantly higher in smokers p = 0.14, though statistical significance was not achieved. Carbapenem resistance was observed in 100% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, indicating a major therapeutic challenge. Conclusion: Smokers exhibited significantly higher MDR prevalence, particularly for carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Fluoroquinolone resistance was disproportionately higher in smokers, raising concerns about empirical antibiotic choices.

DOI

10.21608/ejmm.2025.368045.1518

Keywords

Antimicrobial resistance, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, VITEK 2

Authors

First Name

Mohammed

Last Name

Alquraishi

MiddleName

K. S.

Affiliation

Department of Pathological Analyses, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq

Email

mohamedk.alquraishi@uokufa.edu.iq

City

najaf

Orcid

-

First Name

Mohammed

Last Name

Salih

MiddleName

Q.

Affiliation

Department of Pathological Analyses, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq

Email

mohammedqasim22@yahoo.com

City

najaf

Orcid

-

First Name

Ammar

Last Name

Rashid

MiddleName

A.

Affiliation

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa , Najaf, Iraq

Email

ammaradil333@yahoo.com

City

najaf

Orcid

-

First Name

Mohammed

Last Name

Al-Hakeem

MiddleName

A.M.

Affiliation

Department of Pathological Analyses, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq

Email

mohammedabdul@yahoo.com

City

najaf

Orcid

-

First Name

Samah

Last Name

Hammood

MiddleName

A.

Affiliation

Department of Pathological Analyses, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq

Email

samahamer44@yahoo.com

City

najaf

Orcid

-

First Name

Mustafa

Last Name

AlFatlawi

MiddleName

H.

Affiliation

Department of Pathological Analyses, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq

Email

mustafahamza@yahoo.com

City

-

Orcid

-

Volume

34

Article Issue

3

Related Issue

53640

Issue Date

2025-07-01

Receive Date

2025-03-13

Publish Date

2025-07-01

Print ISSN

1110-2179

Online ISSN

2537-0979

Link

https://ejmm.journals.ekb.eg/article_418573.html

Detail API

http://journals.ekb.eg?_action=service&article_code=418573

Order

418,573

Type

New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Type Code

2,038

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of Medical Microbiology

Publication Link

https://ejmm.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Comprehensive Microbiological and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiling of Respiratory Pathogens

Details

Type

Article

Created At

29 Mar 2025