Epidemiology of carbapenem resistance Enterobacterales in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review

Abstract

The widespread of multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) bacteria, constitutes a major public health threat worldwide, owing to the limited therapeutic options. This review will describe and uncover the Saudi experience in the challenge against carbapenem resistance (CR). The different carbapenem resistance prevalence and carbapenemase genes detected from various bacterial species were mapped for Saudi regional distribution, based on Saudi published data during a period extended from 2017 to 2021. However, VIM, IMP, and KPC enzymes were usually reported with the predominance of OXA and NDM among Enterobacterales. Although SIM and GIM carbapenemases were uncommonly detected in our country. Collaborative efforts and raising awareness of the threat of carbapenem resistance are required to minimize the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria.