BACKGROUND

Carbapenem resistant organisms (CROs) such as (CR), (CR), (CR), and (CR) have been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as global priority pathogens. The dissemination of these pathogens and clonal outbreaks within healthcare facilities are of serious concern, particularly in regions with limited resources. In Fiji, where healthcare services are primarily provided by public hospitals, understanding the extent and nature of this problem is essential for the development of effective patient management, prevention interventions and control strategies.

METHODS

CROs isolated from 211 (77.3%) non-sterile (urinary catheters, urine, sputum, wound swab, and endotracheal tube) and 62 (22.7%) normally sterile (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, intravascular catheter, and aspirates) body sites of 272 patients treated at the three major hospitals in Fiji, the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH), Lautoka Hospital (LTKH), and Labasa Hospital (LBSH), and outer peripheral health centres around Fiji, were analysed. Clinical and demographic patient data such as age, sex, admission diagnosis, admission and discharge dates, patient outcomes, date of death, start and end date of meropenem and colistin treatment were reviewed. These CRO isolates comprised , , , and , that were prospectively collected at the microbiology laboratory of CWMH and LBSH from January 2020 through August 2021 and at the LTKH from January 2020 to December 2021. In addition, 10 retrospectively stored CR isolates collected from patients at the CWMH from January through December 2019, were also included in the study. All isolates were characterised using mass spectrometry, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and whole genome sequencing. Phylogenetic relationships among the CROs were assessed through core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. The CR isolates were also compared to the CR isolates from CWMH isolated in 2016/2017 and 2019, along with CR isolates obtained from Fijian patients admitted to New Zealand hospitals in 2020 and 2021 from our retrospective study.

FINDINGS

Of 272 patients, 140 (51.5%) were male, the median (range) age of patients was 45 (<1-89) years, 161 (59.2%) were I-Taukei, 104 (38.2%) Fijians of Indian descent, and 7 (2.6%) were from other ethnic backgrounds. 234 (86.0%) of these 272 patients, had their first positive CRO sample collected ≥72 h following admission and the remaining 38 (14.0%) were isolated within 72 h following admission. Of the 273 CROs, 146 (53.5%) were collected at the CWMH, 66 (24.2%) LTKH, and 61 (22.3%) LBSH, while 62 (22.7%) were isolated from normally sterile sites and 211 (77.3%) from sites that are not sterile. Of 273 isolates, 131 (48.0%) were CR, 90 (33.0%) CR, 46 (16.8%) CR, and 6 (2.2%) CR. Of 131 CR, 108 (82.4%) were ST2, with three distinct clones, all encoding and , while clone 3 also encoded ; was associated with two copies of IS insertion element, forming the composite transposon Tn. The first two CR ST2 clones were genetically linked to those isolated at CMWH 2016 through 2019, while the third was genetically linked to isolates from Fijian patients admitted to New Zealand hospitals in 2020 and 2021. Of CR, 65 (72.2%) were ST773 and carried β-lactamase genes , , and . Of 10 retrospective CR isolates, all belonged to CR ST773 and carried , , and . Of 46 CR, 44 (95.7%) were ST410 and encoded on an IncX3 plasmid. Of 6 CR, 4 (66.7%) were ST16 and carried on an IncX3 plasmid. Other sequence types of CR (ST9, ST357, ST654, ST664), CR (ST25, ST374, ST499), CR (ST167), and CR (ST45, ST336) were also detected. Of those receiving meropenem treatment in the prospective study, 30 (57.7%) received it inappropriately. Of 272 patients, 65 (23.9%) died within the 30 days after first positive CRO isolation.

INTERPRETATION

We identified nosocomial transmission of distinct clones of CR ST2, CR ST773, CR ST410, and CR ST16 within and between the three major hospitals in Fiji. Moreover, community onset infections associated with CR, CR, and CR were also detected. Of note, cross-border transmission of CR ST2 clone 3 strain between Fiji and New Zealand was also detected. These clones encoded an array of carbapenem resistance genes associated with mobile genetic elements, including plasmids, transposons, and integrative and conjugative elements, signifying their potential for increased mobility, further acquisition of resistance genes, and spread. Inappropriate use of meropenem was common. Of note, the majority of patients who died had acquired CRO during their hospital stay. These findings highlight the need for stringent IPC strategies focusing on catheter and ventilator management, meticulous wound care, rigorous sepsis control, consistent hand hygiene, effective use of disinfectants, and thorough sanitisation of both hospital environments and medical equipment in the three major hospitals in Fiji. Additionally, diligent surveillance of AMR and robust antimicrobial stewardship are crucial for effectively managing nosocomial infections.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the Otago Medical School Foundations Trust (Dean's Bequest Fund) and a Fiji National University seed grant. The funders of the study had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or writing of the report.