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Pediatrics

High Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance in Ukraine pediatric patients

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted by Bogomolets National Medical University in Ukraine has uncovered alarming levels of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation among bloodstream infection pathogens in pediatric patients. The study isolated 35 clinical strains of and 50 clinical strains of spp. from Ukrainian tertiary-level children's hospitals during 2023. The findings revealed a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes, with 96% of Staphylococcus spp. strains expressing the icaA gene, 94% expressing fnbpA, and 92% expressing clfA genes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 96% (n = 46/50) of all Staphylococcus spp. strains expressed the icaA gene, which is associated with biofilm formation.
  • 94% (n = 47/50) of strains expressed the fnbpA gene, and 92% (n = 45/50) expressed the clfA gene, both of which are also associated with biofilm formation.
  • A total of 32% (n = 16/50) of strains were resistant to methicillin, and all strains expressed the mecA gene.
  • 80% (n = 28/35) of strains were resistant to carbapenems, 60.7% (n = 17/28) expressed the carbapenem resistance gene, and 64.3% (n = 18/28) expressed the gene.
  • 90% (n = 18/20) of were resistant to fluoroquinolones, and 88.9% (n = 16/18) expressed the fluoroquinolone resistance gene.
  • The study concluded that high-level resistance to all antimicrobials was observed in strains.

Statistics:

  • 96% of Staphylococcus spp. strains expressed the icaA gene.
  • 94% of strains expressed the fnbpA gene.
  • 92% of strains expressed the clfA gene.
  • 32% of strains were resistant to methicillin.
  • 80% of strains were resistant to carbapenems.
  • 60.7% of strains expressed the carbapenem resistance gene.
  • 64.3% of strains expressed the gene.
  • 90% of were resistant to fluoroquinolones.
  • 88.9% of strains expressed the fluoroquinolone resistance gene.

Sources:

  • Molecular characteristics of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation of bloodstream infection pathogens isolated from pediatric patients in Ukraine. IJID Regions, 2025;15:100646.
  • NewsRx. Bogomolets National Medical University Reports Findings in Life Science (Molecular characteristics of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation of bloodstream infection pathogens isolated from pediatric patients in Ukraine). Pediatrics Week. June 14, 2025; p 104.

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