Achieving pre-eminence of antimicrobial resistance among nonfermenting Gram-negative bacilli causing septicemia in intensive care units: A single center study of a tertiary care hospital.

Kumar, Harit; Kaur, Narinder; Kumar, Nitin; Chauhan, Jyoti; Bala, Rosy; Chauhan, Shubham

Introduction Bloodstream infections in the intensive care unit have always been a global healthcare challenge. The present study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the yearly trend of antibiotic resistance in non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB) causing septicemia in intensive care units. Methods Blood samples were collected from the patients admitted in various intensive care units and processed for isolation and identification of non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli. The isolated bacterial strains were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing as per standard operating procedures. Results Out of 3632 blood samples, 977 (26.9%) samples showed microbial growth, of which 10.1% were Gram positive cocci, 8.7% were Gram negative bacilli (Enterobacterales), 7% were NFGNB and 1% were Candida spp. Increasing resistance among Acinetobacter baumannii complex was observed to ceftazidime, cefepime, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, meropenem and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole. Moreover, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were found to be associated with increased resistance to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ceftazidime and meropenem. A substantial increase in resistance levels was observed among Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Sphingomonas paucimobilis as well. Conclusions An increasing trend of antimicrobial resistance in NFGNB envisages the worst consequences in ICUs in the coming years. Therefore, reviewing and strict implementation of the antimicrobial policies including ‘rational use of antibiotics’ is recommended.

INTENSIVE care units; GRAM-negative bacteria; DRUG resistance in microorganisms; STENOTROPHOMONAS maltophilia; SEPSIS; ACINETOBACTER baumannii; KLEBSIELLA pneumoniae

Germs, 2023, Vol 13, Issue 2, p108

2248-2997

Academic Journal

10.18683/germs.2023.1374