BACKGROUND
While the relationship between conflict-associated injuries and antimicrobial resistance is increasingly being elucidated, data concerning civilian casualties is sparse. This systematic review assesses literature focused on Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) Priority Pathogens causing infections in civilian wounds and burns in conflict-affected countries within the World Health Organisation's Eastern Mediterranean Region Office (EMRO)
METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Five databases and grey literature were searched, identifying studies published from January 2010 to June 2024. Search terms included "wounds", "burns," "antimicrobial resistance", and the twelve countries of interest. Included studies reported resistance of GLASS pathogens. Two reviewers used Covidence to assess papers for inclusion. Data were extracted into a spreadsheet for analysis. Where quantitative data were available, medians, interquartile ranges and percentages were calculated by pathogen and country.
RESULTS
621 records were identified; 19 studies met inclusion criteria. Nine of the papers were from Iraq, three from Libya, three from Lebanon, one each from Yemen and Gaza; two reported on conflict affected refugees in Jordan. A total of 1,942 distinct microbiological isolates were reported, representing all four critical and high priority GLASS pathogen categories. Among the isolates, Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent (36.3%). Median resistances identified: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 680): 55.6% (IQR:49.65-90.3%); carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 372): 22.14% (7.43-52.22%); carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 366): 60.3% (32.1-85%); carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 75): 12.65% (9.73-34.25%); ceftriaxone resistant Escherichia coli (n = 63): 76% (69-84.65%); ceftriaxone resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 40): 81.45% (76.73-86.18%). Only three studies had a low risk of bias.
DISCUSSION
Findings imply high rates of GLASS priority pathogens among wounded civilians in conflict-affected EMRO countries. However, evidence was heterogeneous, low quality and sparse in certain countries, highlighting the necessity of effective surveillance including standardised data collection. Improving primary data will facilitate the production of large, high-quality studies throughout the EMRO, including under-represented countries.
Conclusion: Laboratory diagnostic capacity building and improved surveillance in conflict-affected settings in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are required to assess the burden of GLASS priority pathogens in vulnerable non-combatant populations.
BACKGROUND
The history of conflicts in the Middle East has resulted in a high burden of complications from conflict-related wounds like posttraumatic osteomyelitis (PTO). This is particularly challenging to manage in settings like Mosul, Iraq and Gaza, Palestine, where healthcare systems are weakened. In nonconflict settings, PTO caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAPTO) can lead to >20% of treatment failures. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and management, in PAPTO patients admitted to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) facilities in Mosul and Gaza between 1 April 2018 and 31 January 2022.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients with PAPTO diagnosed with culture of intraoperative bone biopsy, using routinely collected data.
RESULTS
Among 66 PAPTO episodes from 61 enrolled patients, 37.9% had a multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with higher antibiotic resistance in Gaza. Polymicrobial infections were prevalent (74.2%), mainly involving Staphylococcus aureus (74.1%), being predominantly methicillin-resistant (95.0%). Overall, 81.7% received appropriate antibiotic treatment, with monotherapy used in 60.6% of episodes and a median treatment duration of 45.5 days. Recurrence was observed in 24.6% of episodes within a median of 195 days (interquartile range, 64-440 days). No significant differences were found in recurrence rates based on the type of antibiotic treatment (mono- or dual therapy) or episode (mono- or polymicrobial).
CONCLUSIONS
Management of PAPTO in the conflict-affected, low-resource settings of Mosul and Gaza achieved a recurrence rate aligned with global reports through appropriate and targeted antibiotic use, primarily in monotherapy, provided over a mean treatment duration of 45.5 days.
The Médecins Sans Frontières Tertiary Orthopaedic Care center in Mosul, Iraq, provides reconstructive surgery, microbiological analysis, integrated infection prevention and control, and antibiotic stewardship services. Between May 2018 and February 2020, we recorded soft tissue and/or bone infections caused by gram-negative extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteria in 4.9% (13/266) of the admitted patients. The XDR bacteria identified among 12 patients in this case series were extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 5, 41.7%) with intermediate sensitivity or resistance to imipenem and/or meropenem, Acinetobacter spp (n = 3, 25.0%; 2 Acinetobacter baumannii strains) resistant to imipenem and/or meropenem, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 2, 16.7%) resistant to imipenem and meropenem, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing Proteus mirabilis (n = 2, 16.7%) resistant to meropenem. Most XDR isolates were sensitive only to colistin or polymyxin B, neither of which is available in Iraq. Therefore, the only treatment option was multiple rounds of surgical debridement and wound care. The infection was deemed cured before discharge in 7 patients (58.3%). Meanwhile, 4 patients (33.3%) were discharged with unhealed wounds, and outpatient follow-up was planned. One patient died in the intensive care unit of a referral hospital after developing septicemia postsurgery. XDR bacteria pose substantial health risks in Iraq. Thus, improving antimicrobial stewardship and accessibility to essential antibiotics is critical to address this issue.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is recommended for neonates with respiratory distress. CPAP is widely used in high-income countries, but less so in low- and middle-income settings. Here we assess key aspects of implementing CPAP in a humanitarian setting and describe the initial cohort of neonates treated, along with their clinical outcomes.
METHODS
MSF implemented CPAP in a basic neonatal unit in Mosul following the request of the local medical team. Implementation of two bubble CPAP machines included initial training and refresher training one year later. Clinical data was recorded over 16 months (13 April 2021- 21 July 2022). Descriptive statistics were used to assess the feasibility and outcomes of using CPAP in this setting.
RESULTS
CPAP was well accepted by most healthcare workers and parents. 93 neonates were placed on CPAP. 98% of patients had a birthweight >1.5Kg. The main indications were respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, transient tachypnoea, and meconium aspiration (46%, 22%, 16%, and 14% respectively). Average duration on CPAP was 53 hours. 63% of patients recovered, 8% were discharged against medical advice, 9% were referred, and 15% died. Among the 15 patients who died at our facility or at the referral facility, 7 had a contraindication to CPAP, and the initiation of CPAP was delayed in 9 patients. Complications included minor nasal lesions (17%), irritability (8%), and pneumothoraces (5%).
DISCUSSION
Most patients improved with CPAP and were discharged home. 5% of patients developed pneumothoraces, which is in keeping with other reports. However, among patients who did not improve, a significant proportion had contraindications to CPAP initiation and/or were placed on CPAP in extremis, highlighting the importance of clear indication criteria and training. Using CPAP in a humanitarian setting may be feasible but is associated with high human resource needs for both training and practice.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is recommended for neonates with respiratory distress. CPAP is widely used in high-income countries, but less so in low- and middle-income settings. Here we assess key aspects of implementing CPAP in a humanitarian setting and describe the initial cohort of neonates treated, along with their clinical outcomes.
METHODS
MSF implemented CPAP in a basic neonatal unit in Mosul following the request of the local medical team. Implementation of two bubble CPAP machines included initial training and refresher training one year later. Clinical data was recorded over 16 months (13 April 2021- 21 July 2022). Descriptive statistics were used to assess the feasibility and outcomes of using CPAP in this setting.
RESULTS
CPAP was well accepted by most healthcare workers and parents. 93 neonates were placed on CPAP. 98% of patients had a birthweight >1.5Kg. The main indications were respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, transient tachypnoea, and meconium aspiration (46%, 22%, 16%, and 14% respectively). Average duration on CPAP was 53 hours. 63% of patients recovered, 8% were discharged against medical advice, 9% were referred, and 15% died. Among the 15 patients who died at our facility or at the referral facility, 7 had a contraindication to CPAP, and the initiation of CPAP was delayed in 9 patients. Complications included minor nasal lesions (17%), irritability (8%), and pneumothoraces (5%).
DISCUSSION
Most patients improved with CPAP and were discharged home. 5% of patients developed pneumothoraces, which is in keeping with other reports. However, among patients who did not improve, a significant proportion had contraindications to CPAP initiation and/or were placed on CPAP in extremis, highlighting the importance of clear indication criteria and training. Using CPAP in a humanitarian setting may be feasible but is associated with high human resource needs for both training and practice.
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the challenges of the healthcare system in Iraq, which has limited intensive care unit beds, medical personnel, and equipment, contributing to high infection rates and mortality. The main purpose of the study was to describe the clinical characteristics, the length of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, and the mortality outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU during the first wave and two subsequent surges, spanning from September 2020 to October 2021, in addition to identify potential risk factors for ICU mortality.
METHODS
This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from COVID-19 patients admitted to the COVID-19 ICU at Al-Kindi Ministry of Health hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, between September 2020 and October 2021.
RESULTS
The study included 936 COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU at Al-Kindi Hospital. Results showed a high mortality rate throughout all waves, with 60% of deaths due to respiratory failure. Older age, male gender, pre-existing medical conditions, ICU procedures, and complications were associated with increased odds of ICU mortality. The study also found a decrease in the number of complications and ICU procedures between the first and subsequent waves. There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay between patients admitted during different waves.
CONCLUSION
Despite improvements in critical care practices, the mortality rate did not significantly decrease during the second and third waves of the pandemic. The study highlights the challenges of high mortality rates among critical COVID-19 patients in low-resource settings and the importance of effective data collection to monitor clinical presentations and identify opportunities for improvement in ICU care.