{
    "abstract": "Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), particularly the globally prevalent ST2 clone, poses significant threats in the Gulf Cooperation Council region through extensive drug resistance, high virulence, and efficient gene transfer. This study investigates the epidemiological and genomic characteristics of CRAB in the Jazan region, using whole genome sequencing to understand its transmission and genetic determinants.\nSixty-five clinical A. baumannii isolates exhibiting phenotypic resistance to carbapenems (meropenem, imipenem, and ertapenem) were collected from various tertiary hospitals in the Jazan region. The presence of prevalent carbapenemase genes among these isolates was examined using two sets of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Forty-eight isolates confirmed as carbapenemase producers were selected for WGS analysis.\nAmong the 65 clinical CRAB isolates, the adult ICU exhibited the highest prevalence of CRAB (76.9%). Multiplex PCR identified 48 (73.8%) isolates as carbapenemase producers, all harboring bla\nThe study indicates a significant rise in the ST2 clone in the Arabian Gulf, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and underscores the need for ongoing surveillance of less common clones such as ST85 and ST107 to manage public health risks effectively.",
    "authors": [
        {
            "affiliation": "The regional laboratory, Jazan Health Cluster, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.",
            "firstname": "Thamer M",
            "initials": "TM",
            "lastname": "Brek"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "The regional laboratory, Jazan Health Cluster, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.",
            "firstname": "Abdulrahman A",
            "initials": "AA",
            "lastname": "Muhajir"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.",
            "firstname": "Khalil K",
            "initials": "KK",
            "lastname": "Alkuwaity"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Medical Laboratory Department, King Fahd hospital, Jazan Health Cluster, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.",
            "firstname": "Moayad A",
            "initials": "MA",
            "lastname": "Haddad"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Medical Laboratory Department, King Fahd hospital, Jazan Health Cluster, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.",
            "firstname": "Elaf M",
            "initials": "EM",
            "lastname": "Alattas"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Public Health Authority, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.",
            "firstname": "Zaki M",
            "initials": "ZM",
            "lastname": "Eisa"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Infection Prevention and Control Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Epidemiology and Public Health, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences College of Medicine, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.",
            "firstname": "Majid S",
            "initials": "MS",
            "lastname": "Al-Thaqafy"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Public Health Laboratory, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.",
            "firstname": "Ahmed M",
            "initials": "AM",
            "lastname": "Albarraq"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Special Infectious Agents Unit-Biosafety Level-3, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: iaalzahrani1@kau.edu.sa.",
            "firstname": "Ibrahim A",
            "initials": "IA",
            "lastname": "Al-Zahrani"
        }
    ],
    "conclusions": null,
    "copyrights": "Copyright \u00a9 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.",
    "doi": "10.1016/j.jgar.2025.03.012",
    "journal": "Journal of global antimicrobial resistance",
    "keywords": [
        "Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB)",
        "International high-risk clone",
        "Molecular epidemiology",
        "WGS"
    ],
    "methods": null,
    "publication_date": "2025-03-31",
    "pubmed_id": "40158887",
    "results": "Among the 65 clinical CRAB isolates, the adult ICU exhibited the highest prevalence of CRAB (76.9%). Multiplex PCR identified 48 (73.8%) isolates as carbapenemase producers, all harboring bla",
    "title": "Genomic insights of predominant international high-risk clone ST2 Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in Saudi Arabia.",
    "xml": "<Element 'PubmedArticle' at 0x788506129440>"
}