Risk factors for emergence of resistance to broad-spectrum cephalosporins among Enterobacter spp

K S Kaye1, S Cosgrove, A Harris

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Insights

Broad-spectrum cephalosporins increased the risk of developing third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacter spp. infections. Quinolone therapy, however, showed a protective effect against this resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

  • Enterobacter species are opportunistic pathogens.
  • The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern.
  • Third-generation cephalosporins are commonly used antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify risk factors associated with the development of third-generation cephalosporin resistance in Enterobacter spp.
  • To evaluate the impact of different antibiotic classes on resistance development.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 477 patients with susceptible Enterobacter spp. infections.
  • Statistical analysis to determine risk factors and protective effects of antibiotic therapies.

Main Results:

  • 49 out of 477 patients developed third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacter spp.
  • Broad-spectrum cephalosporins were identified as an independent risk factor (OR = 2.3, P = 0.01).
  • Quinolone therapy demonstrated a protective effect (OR = 0.4, P = 0.03).

Conclusions:

  • Broad-spectrum cephalosporin use is linked to increased resistance in Enterobacter spp.
  • Quinolone therapy may help mitigate the development of this resistance.
  • Combination therapy with aminoglycosides or imipenem showed a trend toward decreased resistance risk.

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