P-77 First antimicrobial susceptibility profiling of Burkholderia pseudomallei clinical isolates in the Caribbean: public health significance and regional context
Author(s):
D Gordon-John, N Oudit, C Dos Santos, R Singh, N Winter-Reece, C Rampersad, D Persaud-Khan, S Nathaniel, N Ram-Bhola, M Elsherbiny, G Gonzalez-Escobar
Year of Presentation:
2026
Objective: To characterize Burkholderia pseudomallei isolates referred to the CMML between November 2024 and
November 2025 by assessing their epidemiologic context, laboratory identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility
profiles, to better understand local patterns of melioidosis and inform clinical management in the Caribbean region.
Methods: This study reports the first antimicrobial susceptibility profiling of B. pseudomallei isolates in the Caribbean using CLSI M45 standards, integrating MALDI-TOF and Vitek systems for rapid identification. Four clinical isolates from hospitalized patients in Tobago (November 2024-November 2025) were characterized for epidemiologic context and antimicrobial susceptibility. MICs were determined for amoxicillin-clavulanate, ceftazidime, imipenem, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Results: All isolates were fully susceptible to tested agents, with notably low MICs for imipenem and co-trimoxazole. Although B. pseudomallei is uncommon in the Americas, its detection in four hospitalized cases in Tobago within one year elevates this issue to a matter of public health significance for the country and region, given its potential impact on human health.
Conclusion: In this context, four confirmed cases can reasonably be considered an epidemic of notable importance. Findings underscore the need for strengthened diagnostic capacity, clinician awareness, and integrated One Health and AMR surveillance strategies to mitigate melioidosis risk in the region. Continued regional surveillance, diagnostic strengthening, and clinical awareness are essential to improve detection and management of melioidosis and to better understand its epidemiology in the Caribbean.