Ciprofloxacin or imipenem use correlates with resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

G G Zhanel1, L E Nicolle, A S Gin

  • 1Departments of Medicine and Medical Microbiology and Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Manitoba;

Abstract

Insights

Increased use of ciprofloxacin and imipenem correlated with higher antimicrobial resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study highlights the direct link between antibiotic consumption and the prevalence of resistant bacterial strains.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health concern.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen frequently associated with hospital-acquired infections.
  • The judicious use of antibiotics is crucial to mitigate the development of resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between the usage of ciprofloxacin and imipenem and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • To quantify the correlation between antibiotic consumption and resistance rates in a clinical setting.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility data for P. aeruginosa from 1987 to 1995.
  • Review of hospital antimicrobial use records for ciprofloxacin and imipenem during the same period.
  • Statistical analysis using linear regression and Pearson correlation to assess relationships.

Main Results:

  • Ciprofloxacin resistance in P. aeruginosa rose from 1.0% in 1988 to 10.0% in 1995, correlating significantly with ciprofloxacin use (r=0.73, P=0.05).
  • Imipenem resistance increased from 1.0% in 1987 to a peak of 10.4% in 1991 before declining to 5.4% in 1995, showing a significant correlation with imipenem use (r=0.85, P=0.014).

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic use was directly associated with the development of resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • Ciprofloxacin and imipenem consumption are significant factors contributing to resistance in P. aeruginosa.

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