Trends in antimicrobial resistance associated with gastrointestinal tract infections in the UAE: A comprehensive retrospective surveillance 13-year (2010-2022) study

Author First name, Last name, Institution

• Madikay Senghore, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Jens Thomsen, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Najiba M. Abdulrazzaq, Al Kuwait Hospital
• Wei Chen, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Eveline Kaambo, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Stefan Weber, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
• Fouzia Jabeen, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company
• Godfred Antony Menezes, Ras Al Khaima Medical and Health Sciences University (RAK)
• Abiola Senok, College of Medicine
• Dean B. Everett, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Carole Ayoub Moubareck, Zayed University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

Publication Date

9-1-2026

Abstract

Background This study analyzes longitudinal trends in AMR among key bacterial pathogens causing GI infections across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to inform future treatment policies and public health interventions. Methods We conducted a 13-year, nationwide, longitudinal surveillance study (2010-2022) using data from 341 public and private healthcare facilities and 45 diagnostic laboratories across the UAE. Pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing followed WHO GLASS standards, supplemented by WHONET-integrated electronic medical records. Statistical analyses assessed trends in pathogen incidence, resistance patterns, geographic distribution, and associations with clinical outcomes. Findings Out of 15,593 laboratory-confirmed GI cases, the highest burden was observed in children aged 1-4 years (30.6%). Twelve major bacterial pathogens were identified, with non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) (68.2%), Shigella spp., and Escherichia coli as the most common. ICU admission risk was highest in patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas spp., Proteus spp., and E. coli . Among Enterobacterales, resistance to carbapenems remained low (2.6%; 95% CI: 2.3-2.9), while resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was higher (8.5%; 95% CI: 8.0-9.0). Conclusion The burden of GI tract infections in the UAE is characterized by distinct pathogen distribution and variable antimicrobial resistance patterns across key bacterial species. While resistance to carbapenems remains low, higher resistance to third-generation cephalosporins among Enterobacterales is notable.

DOI Link

10.1016/j.ijid.2026.108789

ISSN

1201-9712

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Volume

170

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Keywords

Antimicrobial resistance, Gastrointestinal infections, GCC, MENA, Pathogen resistance trends, Surveillance, United Arab Emirates

Scopus ID

105043582516

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Senghore, Madikay; Thomsen, Jens; Abdulrazzaq, Najiba M.; Chen, Wei; Kaambo, Eveline; Weber, Stefan; Jabeen, Fouzia; Menezes, Godfred Antony; Senok, Abiola; Everett, Dean B.; and Moubareck, Carole Ayoub, "Trends in antimicrobial resistance associated with gastrointestinal tract infections in the UAE: A comprehensive retrospective surveillance 13-year (2010-2022) study" (2026). All Works. 8087.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/8087

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series