Isolation and Characterization of Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia from Hospital Environments and Clinical Specimens in Duhok City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq | ||
| Ain Shams Medical Journal | ||
| Volume 76, Issue 3, September 2025, Pages 815-824 PDF (424.87 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/asmj.2025.391315.1463 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Zhiman A Ahmed1; Mahde S Assafi* 2 | ||
| 1Department of Biology, College of Sciecne, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq | ||
| 2Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia represents a multidrug-resistant, opportunistic pathogen that is frequently related to healthcare-associated infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of the S. maltophilia isolated from hospital environmental and clinical specimens in Duhok, Iraq. Methodology: A total of 155 hospital environmental samples and 126 clinical specimens were collected between November 2024 and February 2025. The isolates were identified through cultural characteristics, biochemical testing, and molecular identification via PCR. Results: A total of 25 environmental isolates (16.1%) as well as 12 clinical isolates (9.5%) were identified as S. maltophilia. The primary sources were sink drains, as well as sputum specimens. The highest rate of infection was found amongst infants in the age group of less than one year. Antibiotic susceptibility tests demonstrated high resistance rates, with ceftazidime showing 100% resistance and ticarcillin-clavulanic acid exhibiting over 90% resistance. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole demonstrated the highest susceptibility. Conclusion: The findings underscore the necessity for rigorous infection control protocols and emphasize the importance of ongoing surveillance and targeted antibiotic therapy to effectively address S. maltophilia infections within healthcare settings. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Antibiotic; hospital environment; iraq; resistance; stenotrophomonas maltophilia | ||
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