High burden of viridans streptococcal endocarditis linked to multidrug resistance and regional risk factors: a molecular epidemiological report from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening condition caused by Viridans Group Streptococci (VGS) in low and middle-income countries. Data on epidemiology and molecular resistance mechanisms in the high-risk resource-limited setting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and molecular analysis of antimicrobial resistance in VGS isolated from IE patients in KP.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was done on 350 IE suspected patients admitted to tertiary care hospitals in KP. Blood cultures were performed and isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods followed by species confirmation via PCR (sodA, gtf, gyrB, and rpoB genes). Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was performed

SUBMITTER: Khaliq A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12918446 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature