Open Access Research
Distribution of clinical microbial isolates and antimicrobial resistance patterns across healthcare facilities in Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman
Fatema Ali Al-Hasani1,2, Yaman Walid Kassab1,3,*
, Ahmed Talib Al-Za’abi4, Soud Hamdan Al-Ghafri5
1College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Muscat, Oman
2Pharmacy Department, Al Buraimi Hospital, Oman
3College of Pharmacy, Al-Bayan University, Baghdad, Iraq
4Pharmacy Department, Suhar Hospital, Oman
5Pharmacy Department, Rustaq Hospital, Oman
Yaman Walid Kassab, College of Pharmacy, National University of science and technology, Muscat, Oman; Tel.: 0096878875985; e-mail: yamankassab@nu.edu.om
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Published: 2026 ; https://doi.org/10.61873/
Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health challenge that compromises the effective treatment of infectious diseases and increases healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality. Continuous local surveillance is essential for guiding empirical antimicrobial therapy and strengthening antimicrobial stewardship programs. Aim: To determine the distribution of clinical microbial isolates, bacterial antimicrobial resistance patterns, and multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms across healthcare facilities in Western Oman during 2024. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using microbiology records collected between January and December 2024 from a secondary referral hospital and affiliated healthcare facilities in Western Oman. A total of 3,592 clinical microbial isolates were identified, including 3,186 bacterial isolates and 406 fungal isolates. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed according to standardized laboratory procedures and interpreted using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Antimicrobial resistance and MDR analyses were performed on bacterial isolates only. Results: Among the 3,592 clinical microbial isolates, Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 2,104 (58.6%), Gram-positive bacteria for 1,082 (30.1%), and fungi and yeasts for 406 (11.3%). Escherichia coli (19.9%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.0%) were the predominant bacterial pathogens. A total of 782 bacterial isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant, representing 24.5% of all bacterial isolates. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms constituted the largest MDR group (50.6%), followed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (21.6%) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) (16.0%). MDR organisms were significantly more prevalent among inpatient than outpatient isolates (29.2% vs. 18.9%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Gram-negative bacteria predominated among clinical microbial isolates in healthcare facilities in Western Oman, while ESBL-producing Enterobacterales represented the most common multidrug-resistant pathogens. The significantly higher prevalence of MDR organisms among hospitalized patients highlights the importance of continuous microbiological surveillance, regularly updated local antibiograms, antimicrobial stewardship, and infection prevention measures to support evidence-based empirical antimicrobial therapy.
Keywords: Asthma, Diffusion, Euphorbia hirta, Mucoadhesion, Nasal in situ gel
Please cite as:
Al-Hasani F. A., Kassab Y. W., Al-Za’abi A. T., Al-Ghafri S. H.: Distribution of clinical microbial isolates and antimicrobial resistance patterns across healthcare facilities in Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman. Epitheorese Klin. Farmakol. Farmakokinet. xx(xx): xx-xx (2026).
DOI: 10.61873/XXXXXXX
pISSN 1011-6575 • eISSN 2945-1914