Narrative reviewindependent cross-checkabstract only checked I-CHK-13 standard review
Colistin resistance in the Middle East and North Africa
Overview of Colistin Resistance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region.
Overview
Saniour R et al.. Microorganisms 2026 · PMID 42655038 · DOI 10.3390/microorganisms14081693
Resistance to the last-resort antibiotic colistin is reported in Egypt and other countries, including in poultry.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: low
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Epidemiology of colistin resistance in MENA
- How was the study done?
Narrative review
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
Not applicable; Humans, animals, food, environment
- What was actually found?
North Africa prevalence of colistin-resistant Gram-negatives: Tunisia 58.09%, Egypt 24.76%, Algeria 14.29%, Libya 2.86% (from available literature); mcr-1 predominant; resistance documented in poultry and food.
- How large was the observed effect?
Descriptive
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Farm antibiotic use matters for human medicine in Egypt too.
- What are the study's limitations?
Narrative; heterogeneous sources
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Low.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Not precise prevalence.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Saniour R et al.
- Journal
- Microorganisms
- Year
- 2026
- Identifier
- PMID 42655038 DOI 10.3390/microorganisms14081693
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
No conflicts
2. Research question
Epidemiology of colistin resistance in MENA
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Narrative review – Narrative review
- Population
Humans, animals, food, environment
- Country
MENA incl. Egypt
- Period
Literature to 2026
- Sample size
Not applicable
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Not systematic
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Colistin use in agriculture and medicine
- Comparator
Countries
- Endpoints
Prevalence of colistin resistance; mcr genes
- Statistical methods
Descriptive
5. Actual results
- Results
North Africa prevalence of colistin-resistant Gram-negatives: Tunisia 58.09%, Egypt 24.76%, Algeria 14.29%, Libya 2.86% (from available literature); mcr-1 predominant; resistance documented in poultry and food.
- Absolute risks
Not applicable
- Authors' conclusion
Stewardship and One Health surveillance essential.
6. Strengths
- Regional overview
7. Weaknesses
- Narrative; heterogeneous sources
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- none applicable
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- not assessable
- Rationale
Review.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Pooled figures from heterogeneous studies.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
C-CHK-05 (Egypt).
11. Independent contrary findings
Not applicable.
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
Low.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Indicates relevance of mcr/colistin issue in Egypt.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | low |
| Risk of bias | not assessable |
| Precision of results | not applicable |
| Directness | indirect |
| Reproducibility | unknown |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | mixed |
| Regional transferability | low |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
Surveillance gaps.