Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of ESKAPE Pathogens Isolated in a Microbiology Laboratory in Somalia: A Two-Year Retrospective Study
A two-year retrospective study of 2,486 ESKAPE bacterial isolates from a tertiary hospital in Mogadishu, examining pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance.
Research overview
This single-center laboratory study examined ESKAPE pathogens isolated at Mogadishu Somalia Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital between January 2024 and December 2025. ESKAPE comprises six bacterial groups frequently associated with healthcare infections and antimicrobial resistance.
The researchers analyzed 2,486 isolates from culture-positive clinical specimens, using antimicrobial susceptibility testing interpreted according to CLSI criteria. They examined resistance patterns, specimen sources, hospital units, and selected demographic associations.
The results provide local surveillance evidence supporting antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention, particularly in high-risk clinical units. The retrospective, single-center design and absence of detailed patient outcomes or molecular resistance testing limit generalizability and interpretation of underlying mechanisms.
Key findings
- Klebsiella pneumoniae (41.6%) and Staphylococcus aureus (25.3%) were the most frequently isolated pathogens.
- Multidrug-resistant phenotypes were detected in 1,633 of 2,486 isolates (65.7%), and extensively drug-resistant phenotypes in 687 isolates (27.6%).
- Acinetobacter baumannii had the highest multidrug resistance (97.8%) and extensive drug resistance (70.3%) rates among the studied pathogens.
- Susceptibility to vancomycin and linezolid remained largely preserved among Gram-positive pathogens, while Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacter species were significantly associated with ICU admission.
Yardimeli staff participation
This publication includes participation from a Yardimeli Specialist Hospital staff member and lists Yardimeli Specialist Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia, as an institutional affiliation where applicable.
Citation
Orhan Z, Doğan S, Mohamud SM, et al. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of ESKAPE pathogens isolated in a microbiology laboratory in Somalia: a two-year retrospective study. BMC Infect. Dis. 26:1741 (2026). doi: 10.1186/s12879-026-13896-1
Open-access license
© 2026 the article authors. This publication is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Non-commercial sharing and distribution are permitted with proper credit; adapted material derived from the article may not be shared under this license.