Multidrug ‐resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in residential aged care facilities: An emerging threat

This study marks the first assessment of the prevalence, resistome, and genomic characteristics of multidrug-resistant (MDR)Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in residential aged care facilities. MDRS. maltophilia were found in all sampled facilities, with colistin non-wild type and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistant isolates recovered. Many isolates also exhibited high tolerance to triclosan and benzalkonium chloride. Notably, our findings indicate the continued emergence ofS. maltophilia, with lineages not previously identified in Australia observed in this study. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive surveillance and effective control measures. AbstractStenotrophomonas maltophilia is a multidrug-resistant (MDR), Gram-negative bacterium intrinsically resistant to beta-lactams, including last-resort carbapenems. As an opportunistic pathogen, it can cause serious healthcare-related infections. This study assesses the prevalence, resistance profiles, and genetic diversity ofS. maltophilia isolated from residential aged care facilities (RACFs). RACFs are known for their overuse and often inappropriate use of antibiotics, creating a strong selective environment that favors the development of bacterial resistance. The study was conducted on 73S. maltophilia isolates recovered from wastewater and facility swab samples obtained from three RACFs and a retirement village. Phenotypic and genotypic assessments of the isolates revealed high carbapenem resistance, exemplifyin...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research