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Updated: Jul 17, 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

High activity of meropenem against Gram-negative bacteria from a paediatric Intensive Care Unit, 2001-2005

Jan A Patzer1, Danuta Dzierzanowska, Alicja Pawińska

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland. j.patzer@czd.pl

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|January 30, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Meropenem, imipenem, and ciprofloxacin showed high susceptibility against Gram-negative bacteria in pediatric ICU patients. Researchers observed a significant decrease in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and AmpC beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical microbiology and infectious diseases
  • Pediatric intensive care
  • Antimicrobial resistance

Background:

  • Gram-negative bacterial infections pose a significant threat in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
  • Monitoring antimicrobial susceptibility is crucial for effective treatment of pediatric infections.
  • The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC beta-lactamase (AmpC) producers, is a growing concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro susceptibility of Gram-negative bacterial strains isolated from pediatric ICU patients to key antibiotics.
  • To assess trends in antimicrobial activity and the prevalence of ESBL and AmpC producing Enterobacteriaceae over a five-year period (2001-2005).

Main Methods:

  • Collected 620 Gram-negative bacterial isolates from clinical specimens of children hospitalized in a PICU.
  • Performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing for various agents, focusing on meropenem, imipenem, and ciprofloxacin.
  • Analyzed the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and AmpC beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae over the study period.

Main Results:

  • Meropenem, imipenem, and ciprofloxacin demonstrated high activity against the tested Gram-negative isolates, with susceptibility rates exceeding 90%.
  • No significant reduction in the activity of these antibiotics was observed over the five-year study duration.
  • A notable decrease in the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and AmpC beta-lactamase was recorded, declining from 56.3% to 34.1%.

Conclusions:

  • Meropenem, imipenem, and ciprofloxacin remain effective therapeutic options for Gram-negative bacterial infections in this pediatric ICU population.
  • The observed decrease in ESBL and AmpC producing Enterobacteriaceae suggests a potential positive impact of infection control measures or changes in prescribing patterns.
  • Continued surveillance of antimicrobial resistance patterns is essential for guiding antibiotic therapy in critically ill children.

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