Challenges in managing multidrug-resistant infections among refugees: clinical experience during the Ukrainian war

The war in Ukraine, initiated in 2022, triggered a massive humanitarian crisis with millions displaced. This population exodus posed significant healthcare challenges, including the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Factors such as disrupted healthcare services, inap...

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Main Authors: Josu Urbieta-Mancisidor, Jesús-Martín Treviño-Theriot
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SMC MEDIA SRL 2025-04-01
Series:European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.ejcrim.com/index.php/EJCRIM/article/view/5338
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author Josu Urbieta-Mancisidor
Jesús-Martín Treviño-Theriot
author_facet Josu Urbieta-Mancisidor
Jesús-Martín Treviño-Theriot
author_sort Josu Urbieta-Mancisidor
collection DOAJ
description The war in Ukraine, initiated in 2022, triggered a massive humanitarian crisis with millions displaced. This population exodus posed significant healthcare challenges, including the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Factors such as disrupted healthcare services, inappropriate antimicrobial use and environmental contamination contributed to increased bacterial resistance. In this context, in 2023 an 86-year-old Ukrainian migrant was treated in a Spanish hospital for severe infections complicated by MDR bacteria. During hospitalisation, complex resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were identified. Treatment was guided by culture results, though infections recurred multiple times. A literature review indicated that infections among displaced Ukrainians commonly involve Gram-negative bacteria such as P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae, often exhibiting high resistance levels. This underscores the urgent need for infection control strategies, improved antibiotic stewardship and enhanced epidemiological surveillance. Additionally, it highlights the importance of international cooperation and networked efforts in managing antimicrobial resistance during conflicts and mass displacement.
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spelling doaj-art-fbcfd343d33746edac4f6398df292a2a2025-08-20T01:55:18ZengSMC MEDIA SRLEuropean Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine2284-25942025-04-0110.12890/2025_0053384873Challenges in managing multidrug-resistant infections among refugees: clinical experience during the Ukrainian warJosu Urbieta-Mancisidor0Jesús-Martín Treviño-Theriot1Department of Internal Medicine, Santa Marina Hospitale, Bilbao, SpainBalmaseda Primary Health Care Centre, Balmaseda, SpainThe war in Ukraine, initiated in 2022, triggered a massive humanitarian crisis with millions displaced. This population exodus posed significant healthcare challenges, including the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Factors such as disrupted healthcare services, inappropriate antimicrobial use and environmental contamination contributed to increased bacterial resistance. In this context, in 2023 an 86-year-old Ukrainian migrant was treated in a Spanish hospital for severe infections complicated by MDR bacteria. During hospitalisation, complex resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were identified. Treatment was guided by culture results, though infections recurred multiple times. A literature review indicated that infections among displaced Ukrainians commonly involve Gram-negative bacteria such as P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae, often exhibiting high resistance levels. This underscores the urgent need for infection control strategies, improved antibiotic stewardship and enhanced epidemiological surveillance. Additionally, it highlights the importance of international cooperation and networked efforts in managing antimicrobial resistance during conflicts and mass displacement.https://www.ejcrim.com/index.php/EJCRIM/article/view/5338antimicrobial resistancerefugeespseudomonas aeruginosaklebsiella pneumoniaewounds and injuriesconflict-related infections
spellingShingle Josu Urbieta-Mancisidor
Jesús-Martín Treviño-Theriot
Challenges in managing multidrug-resistant infections among refugees: clinical experience during the Ukrainian war
European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine
antimicrobial resistance
refugees
pseudomonas aeruginosa
klebsiella pneumoniae
wounds and injuries
conflict-related infections
title Challenges in managing multidrug-resistant infections among refugees: clinical experience during the Ukrainian war
title_full Challenges in managing multidrug-resistant infections among refugees: clinical experience during the Ukrainian war
title_fullStr Challenges in managing multidrug-resistant infections among refugees: clinical experience during the Ukrainian war
title_full_unstemmed Challenges in managing multidrug-resistant infections among refugees: clinical experience during the Ukrainian war
title_short Challenges in managing multidrug-resistant infections among refugees: clinical experience during the Ukrainian war
title_sort challenges in managing multidrug resistant infections among refugees clinical experience during the ukrainian war
topic antimicrobial resistance
refugees
pseudomonas aeruginosa
klebsiella pneumoniae
wounds and injuries
conflict-related infections
url https://www.ejcrim.com/index.php/EJCRIM/article/view/5338
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