Colonisation of hospital surfaces from low- and middle-income countries by extended spectrum β-lactamase- and carbapenemase-producing bacteria

Hospital surfaces can harbor bacterial pathogens, leading to nosocomial infections and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. The study BARNARDS found that Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) carrying antibiotic resistance genes colonize surfaces and patient care equipment in neonatal wards. The study found consistently dominant clones related to neonatal sepsis strains, with higher prevalence in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia. The persistence of dominant clones suggests the need for improved infection prevention and control guidelines.