Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Gastric Mucosa Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis for Detecting Helicobacter pylori and Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: March 7, 2025
THE GLOBAL POINT PREVALENCE SURVEY (PPS) OF ANTIMICROBIAL USE AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AMONG HOSPITALIZED
I G Korinteli1, I Mchedlishvili2, M Javakhadze3
1Tbilisi State Medical University, 1Child and Adolescent Medicine Department.
Insights
Antibiotic prescribing in Georgian pediatric units significantly increased from 2015 to 2018, with lower respiratory tract infections being the most common reason for treatment. Key issues identified include high broad-spectrum antibiotic use and rising antimicrobial resistance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Antibiotic prescribing practices in pediatric populations are critical for combating infections and preventing antimicrobial resistance.
- Understanding current trends in antibiotic use is essential for developing effective stewardship programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine antibiotic prescribing rates for infection prevention and treatment in pediatric units.
- To evaluate antimicrobial agents, administration routes, and common subgroups used.
- To identify targets for improving antimicrobial prescribing quality in Georgia.
Main Methods:
- A 1-day Point Prevalence Study (PPS) on antibiotic use in hospitalized children was conducted across 18 clinics in Georgia from 2015 to 2019.
- Data collected included antibiotic prescribing rates, types of agents, administration routes, and reasons for use.
- Antimicrobial resistance data for MRSA and third-generation cephalosporins were also analyzed.
Main Results:
- Antibiotic prevalence rates increased from 60.1% in 2015 to 92.6% in 2018.
- Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) were the most common indication for antibiotics.
- High rates of empirical antibiotic use (98.0% in 2015) and increasing antimicrobial resistance (MRSA 8.1%, third-generation cephalosporins 17.3% in 2018) were observed.
Conclusions:
- Significant increase in antibiotic use and prevalence of resistant strains necessitate improved prescribing quality in pediatric units.
- Targets for optimization include reducing broad-spectrum antibiotic use, increasing culture testing, and refining prophylaxis protocols.
- Implementing clinical pathways and regular Point Prevalence Studies can enhance antibiotic prescription patterns in neonates and pediatric inpatients.
Abstract:
The aims of our study were to determine antibiotic prescribing rates for prevention and treatment of infections in pediatric units, to evaluate the number and type of antimicrobial agents and administration route, reveal commonly used antibiotic subgroups and identify targets for improving the quality of antimicrobial prescribing. A 1-day PPS (Point Prevalence Study) on antibiotic use in hospitalized children was performed in Georgia from 2015 to 2019. 18 clinics in different regions of Georgia were included in the survey. Antimicrobial prevalence rates increased over the years from 60.1% in 2015 to 92.6% in 2018. The most commonly, antibiotics were prescribed for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). In 2015 25.1% of LRTI were treated by ampicillin-sulbactam but the next year it replaced with ceftriaxone (37.1% in 2017 and 38.2% in 2018). In pediatric surgical ward, the antibiotics were commonly prescribed for surgical prevention (54.1% in 2015, 32.3% in 2018). The most common conditions treated with antibiotics in neonates were sepsis (30.1%) and LRTI (45.3%). The most used antibiotic was ceftriaxone (33.3% in 2015). Ampicilin-sulbactam was prescribed in 28.1% of pneumonia case in neonates in 2018. In 2015 antibiotics were mainly prescribed empirically (98.0%). In 2018 resistance of MRSA was 8.1%, and resistance to the third-generation cephalosporin 17.3%. Prevalence rate of antibiotics for prevention and treatment of infection disease in pediatric units increased in 2018. Main feasible targets for optimization of antibiotic prescribing have been identified: high use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in hospitals, high frequency of empirical treatment, rarely performed culture tests, prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery patients and an alarming raise of resistant strains. The implementation of disease-specific clinical pathways associated with annual PPSs could be a good way to monitor and improve antibiotic prescription patterns in neonatal and pediatric inpatients over time.
More Related Videos
09:59Application of the Intelligent High-Throughput Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing/Phage Screening System and Lar Index of Antimicrobial Resistance
Published on: July 21, 2023
08:47Opsonophagocytic Killing Assay to Assess Immunological Responses Against Bacterial Pathogens
Published on: April 5, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:30Development of Antibiotic Resistance
00:57Antibiotic Selection
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion