Eskape pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns at the university teaching hospital of Kigali, Rwanda

A five -year analysis (2020–2024)

Bibliographic Data

ID22067709
AuthorsMarthe Uwamariya (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali), Theophile Dushimirimana (0009-0001-2254-8611, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali), Denyse Akayezu (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali), Angelique Mukanyandwi (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali), Francois Regis Musana Muhire (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali), Masceline Jenipher Mutsaka‐Makuvaza (0000-0003-0868-1173, University of Rwanda), Masceline Jenipher Mutsaka-Makuvaza (Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda), Lisine Tuyisenge (0000-0001-8450-2275, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali), Martin Nyundo (0000-0002-9663-8708, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali), Tharcisse Mpunga (0000-0002-8298-7798, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali), Jean Bosco Munyemana (0000-0003-2547-8070, University of Rwanda)
Year2026
Volume14
Pages1783011-1783011
Publication date2026-04-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1783011
PMID42110296
OpenAlexW7155404802
LanguageEN
References cited26

Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Enterobacter spp ., known as ESKAPE pathogens, continue to pose a health threat globally. In Rwanda, data on long-term trends and resistance profiles among these pathogens remain limited. This study has assessed the temporal trends in the distribution and AMR patterns of ESKAPE pathogens at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) from 2020 to 2024. Methodology A retrospective laboratory-based surveillance study was conducted using microbiology laboratory data. All culture-positive clinical specimens processed over the five years were included. Descriptive analysis was performed to assess pathogens' distribution, resistance rates, phenotypic resistance patterns, and temporal trends according to antibiotic categories. Results A total of 3,778 culture-positive isolates were analyzed. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most prevalent (43.8%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (26.4%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (15.1%). The overall AMR rate was 56.5%, with the highest resistance observed in Enterococcus spp . (74.6%), Acinetobacter baumannii (69.9%), and Enterobacter spp . (64.4%). Resistance to access antibiotics increased from 54.7 % in 2020 to 83.3 % in 2024, while resistance to watch antibiotics rose from 42.5 % to 57.2%. ESKAPE Pathogens exhibited a comparatively lower resistance rate to the Reserve antibiotics, including polymyxin B and ceftazidime-avibactam. Phenotypic resistance analysis identified extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (32.9 %), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (31.1%), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (15.6%), and vancomycin-resistant E nterococci (5%). Conclusion This study demonstrates a high and increasing burden of multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens, characterized by escalating resistance to first-line and second-line antibiotics and early indications of emerging resistance to last-resort antimicrobials. These findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention, and control measures

Acinetobacter · Acinetobacter baumannii · Antibiotic resistance · Antibiotics · Antimicrobial · Drug resistance · Polymyxin · Pseudomonas aeruginosa · Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria · Antibiotic Use and Resistance · Antimicrobial agents and applications

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