Antimicrobial resistance in pathogens causing nosocomial bloodstream infections in university hospitals in Egypt

Nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are worldwide health care problems causing substantial patient morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to identify bacterial pathogens isolated from nosocomial BSIs and determine their AMR patterns.

An active surveillance program for BSIs was conducted in intensive care units in 3 large university hospitals in Egypt between September 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007. Infection prevention and control teams and link nurses in collaboration with intensive care physicians were looking actively to identify patients who acquired BSIs based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standard case definitions. Blood cultures were obtained from patients with suspected BSIs and processed to isolate bacteria and test their antimicrobial resistance.

During the 10-month active surveillance period, a total of 600 pathogens were isolated from blood cultures of 1,575 patients (38%). Of these 600 isolates, 386 (66%) were gram-negative, 178 (30%) were gram-positive, and 24 (4%) were budding yeasts. The gram-negative organisms included 162 (27%) Klebsiella pneumoniae and 23 (3.8%) Escherichia coli. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase enzymes were detected in 79% of the K pneumoniae isolates and 39% of the E coli isolates. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 60% of S aureus infections.

High rates of β-lactamase resistance and methicillin-resistant S aureus were found in the 3 Egyptian university hospitals studied. This study highlights the need for strengthening infection prevention and control programs, monitoring AMR at each facility, and developing policies for antibiotic use.