Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance Among Gram-Negative Isolates in an Adult Intensive Care Unit at a Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia (2010-2014)

Abstract

Introduction: Infections caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) organisms can result in significant increases in morbidity and mortality. This risk is amplified in critically ill patients usually residingin intensive care units (ICU). Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the progression of antimicrobial resistance of Gram negative bacteria (GNB) in a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All organisms were isolated from the adult ICU of King Abdulaziz Medical City between 2010 to 2014. Organisms were identified to the species level. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using an automated system (The VITEK® 2 system, BioMariex, France) and the antimicrobial susceptibility testing was confirmed by E-Test. Results: The total number of GNB was 7600. The most frequently isolated GNB were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Escherichia coli. Klebsiella resistance was significantly increased to Cefepime and Ceftazidime. Acinetobacter baumanniidemonstrated an increase in resistance towards Imipenem. The resistance pattern forE.coliseemed to be increasing to Cefazolin, Cefepime, and Ceftazidime. Conclusion: A continuous surveillance program to observe the emergence of different bacterial resistance patterns is advised to establish unified guidelines across Saudi Arabia to reduce further progression in the emergence of MDR organisms.