Susceptibility of bacterial isolates from Turkey--a report from the Meropenem Yearly Susceptibility Test Information...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Nosocomial pathogens pose a significant threat in healthcare settings.
• Antimicrobial resistance necessitates continuous monitoring of pathogen susceptibility.
• The Meropenem Yearly Susceptibility Test Information Collection (MYSTIC) Program provides valuable data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the in vitro activity of meropenem and other antimicrobial agents against nosocomial pathogens in Turkish university hospitals.
• To determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production in key bacterial isolates.
• To inform empirical treatment guidelines based on current susceptibility patterns.

Main Methods:

• Monitoring of nosocomial pathogens from Turkish university hospitals.
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using minimum inhibitory concentration 90% (MIC(90)) values.
• Identification of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing strains.

Main Results:

• Meropenem demonstrated superior activity compared to imipenem against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
• Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers were identified in 40.5% of K. pneumoniae, 23.1% of Klebsiella oxytoca, and 15.3% of E. coli isolates.
• Piperacillin/tazobactam was most effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while meropenem and imipenem showed high activity against Acinetobacter baumannii.

Conclusions:

• Meropenem exhibits significant in vitro activity against common nosocomial pathogens in Turkey.
• The prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae highlights the need for careful antibiotic selection.
• Continued surveillance through programs like MYSTIC is essential for guiding effective antimicrobial therapy.