Genomic insights into antimicrobial resistance in ocular pathogens from India

This study highlights the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in eye infections, a significant but often under-monitored cause of vision impairment. Using whole-genome sequencing of 291 bacterial isolates from patients in India, researchers found that nearly half were multidrug-resistant and over 15% were extensively drug-resistant. The most common pathogens were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, including a newly identified resistant strain of S. aureus that lacks typical resistance markers but is resistant to key antibiotics. The findings reveal novel resistance mechanisms and underscore the urgent need for large-scale genomic surveillance of ocular infections, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.