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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

Drug resistance in intensive care units

W C Albrich1, M Angstwurm, L Bader

  • 1Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Innenstadt der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München.

Infection
|July 8, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Intensive care units (ICUs) are hotspots for antibiotic resistance due to high antibiotic use and invasive devices. New strategies are crucial to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria in ICUs.

Area of Science:

  • Critical care medicine
  • Infectious diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Intensive care units (ICUs) are primary sources of antibiotic resistance and multi-resistant bacterial outbreaks.
  • Key risk factors include excessive antibiotic consumption, frequent use of invasive devices, and a high density of susceptible patients with severe conditions.
  • Antibiotic-resistant infections significantly increase morbidity and healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical role of ICUs in antibiotic resistance.
  • To emphasize the need for strategies to mitigate the spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria.
  • To underscore the importance of antimicrobial stewardship in ICUs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of risk factors contributing to antibiotic resistance in ICUs.
  • Analysis of the impact of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
  • Discussion of current and potential approaches to control antimicrobial resistance.

Main Results:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with significantly higher mortality compared to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).
  • Prudent antibiotic use and quality control of antimicrobial therapy can help minimize the selection of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
  • Restricted antimicrobial agent use shows temporal effects on local resistance patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Implementing locally adapted guidelines for prudent antibiotic therapy is essential.
  • Quality control of antimicrobial therapy in ICUs is vital for minimizing the selection of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
  • Novel approaches are urgently needed to address the growing problem of drug resistance in ICUs.

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