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Comparative antimicrobial evaluation of Cephalosporins and Quinolones in common paediatric infections
Masroor Ahmed1, Baqir S Naqvi, Muhammad Harris Shoaib
1Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi.
Insights
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat, especially in developing nations. This study found third-generation Cefotaxime and Ofloxacin showed effectiveness against common bacterial pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Child mortality remains high in developing countries, with preventable infections causing a significant burden.
- Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents is an escalating global health crisis, complicating infection treatment.
- The emergence of antimicrobial resistance necessitates ongoing surveillance and evaluation of antibiotic efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity of selected agents against common bacterial pathogens.
- To determine the resistance patterns of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Main Methods:
- Collected 84 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Karachi hospitals.
- Conducted an in vitro study using the agar dilution method.
- Tested eleven antimicrobial agents and their combinations against the bacterial isolates.
Main Results:
- Third-generation Cephalosporin, Cefotaxime, demonstrated high effectiveness against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Of the tested isolates, 1.19% of Staphylococcus aureus, 19% of Escherichia coli, and 10% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resistant to Cefotaxime.
- Ofloxacin showed high activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with resistance rates of 28%, 26%, and 11%, respectively. Ciprofloxacin showed resistance in 26% of Staphylococcus aureus and 58% of Escherichia coli isolates.
Conclusions:
- Cefotaxime and Ofloxacin exhibit significant in vitro activity against common bacterial pathogens.
- Monitoring antimicrobial resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment strategies in clinical settings.
- Further research is needed to combat the rising challenge of antimicrobial resistance globally.
Abstract:
More than 90% of world's children are born each year in the developing world. Each year 12.9 million children die. Twenty eight percent of death are caused by pneumonia, 23% by diarrheal disease and 16% by vaccine-preventable diseases. Thirty-five thousand die each day, most from common and preventable problems. Health and illness are the result of a complex dynamic of environmental, social, political and economic factors. Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents is a continuing serious problem in the treatment of infections. Although this problem was recognized shortly after the commercial introduction of antimicrobial agents, it means that resistance is now emerging at a more rapid rate than ever before. To start with, during the present study an effort has been made to accomplish this task, 84 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from different hospitals in Karachi. An in vitro study of these isolates was carried out by Agar dilution method using eleven antimicrobial agents and their combination (Lorian, 1991). Among Cephalosporins, third generation Cephalosporin, Cefotaxime was highly effective against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Cefotaxime was active against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 1.19% isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 19% isolates of Escherichia coli and 10% isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resistant against Cefotaxime. In Quinolone group, Ofloxacin was highly active against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Whereas 28% isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 26% isolates of Escherichia coli and 11% isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resistant to Ofloxacin. Twenty six percent isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and 58% isolates Escherichia coli were resistant against Ciprofloxacin.
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