ESKAPE pathogens

Background: ESKAPE pathogens are responsible for the common of nosocomial infections and capable of 'escaping' the biocidal action of antimicrobial agents. Aims: The aim of this study is to screen the prevalence of ESKAPE pathogens group among pediatric patients in Iraq. Methods: A total of 191 different clinical samples were collected from pediatric patients aged from 1day till the age of 14 years old. Samples obtained included; blood, urine, CSF, burns wounds, and other data that were taken from patients before sampling. Results: Among 191 clinical samples, 12 isolates (6.3%) of ESKAPE Pathogens group were detected, S. aureus was recovered in high rate (33.4%) followed by P.
aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, and A.baumannii. However, no isolate belonged to E.faecium was recovered in this study. A high rate (75%) of isolates G-vebacteria of ESKAPE pathogens group (P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae E. cloacae, A.baumannii) were found to be ESBL-producers. Results also found that all S. aureus isolates were AmpC β-
lactamase producers and all Gram-negative isolates within ESKAPE pathogens group were AmpC β-lactamase producers. Different antibiotic susceptibility patterns were recorded among ESKAPE pathogens group isolates. MDR was found at a high rate (75%), followed by PDR (16.6%), while XDR was detected only in one isolate (8.3%).Conclusion:S. aureus was recovered with a high rate among all ESKAPE pathogens roup.CoNS are the most prevalent pathogens causing late-onset sepsis in neonates. ESBLs were predominant among G-veofESKAPE pathogen group isolates. All isolates in ESKAPE pathogens group were AmpC-Lactamase producers.