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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
Five-year period evaluation of isolated agents and their resistance profiles in intensive care unit patients with
Duygu Mert1, Selda Muslu2, Alparslan Merdin3
1Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Clinic, University of Health Sciences Dr.Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. drduygumert@hotmail.com.
Introduction:
Patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) are usually patients who deteriorated health condition and could have longer hospital stay compared to other patients. Hospital infections are more common in ICU patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacteria and treatment resistance profiles isolated from clinical specimens sent for hospital infections in ICU patients between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018.
Methodology:
Bacteria isolated from various clinical samples sent for hospital infections in hospitalized patients in the Anesthesia and Reanimation Intensive Care Unit were retrospectively analyzed.
Results:
Culture positivity was detected in 547 of the sent clinical samples. Eighty Gram-positive bacteria, 389 Gram-negative bacteria and 78 fungi infection were identified in a total of 547 positive cultures. In Gram-positive bacteria, 4 MRSA, 6 VRE and 30 MRCoNS were identified as resistant strains. In Gram-negative bacteria, Acinetobacter spp. was the most culture positive strain with the number of 223. Carbapenem resistance was found in 258 of the Gram-negative bacteria and ESBL positivity was found in 44 of the Gram-negative bacteria strains.
Conclusions:
Gram-negative bacteria were the most frequently isolated strain in samples. Recently, colistin resistance has been increasing in Acinetobacter spp. and the increase in carbapenemase enzyme in Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella species has increased resistance to carbapenems. Knowing the microorganisms that grow in ICUs and their antibiotic resistance patterns may help to prevent contamination of resistant microorganisms by both appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment and more isolation as well as general hygiene standard precautions.
Insights
Intensive care unit (ICU) patients frequently develop hospital infections. This study analyzed bacteria and antibiotic resistance in ICU patients, finding Gram-negative bacteria were most common, with rising resistance to carbapenems and colistin.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Intensive care units (ICUs) are high-risk environments for hospital-acquired infections.
- Understanding microbial profiles and resistance patterns is crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate bacteria and antibiotic resistance profiles in clinical specimens from ICU patients.
- To analyze hospital infection data from January 2014 to December 2018.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of bacterial isolates from clinical samples in an Anesthesia and Reanimation Intensive Care Unit.
- Identification of bacterial species and assessment of antibiotic resistance markers.
Main Results:
- 547 positive cultures identified: 80 Gram-positive, 389 Gram-negative bacteria, and 78 fungi.
- Acinetobacter spp. was the most frequent Gram-negative isolate (223).
- High rates of resistance observed: 258 Gram-negative bacteria resistant to carbapenems, 44 ESBL-positive, and specific resistances like MRSA, VRE, MRCoNS.
Conclusions:
- Gram-negative bacteria dominate ICU infections, with Acinetobacter spp. being prevalent.
- Increasing resistance to colistin and carbapenems is a significant concern.
- Knowledge of local resistance patterns guides empirical antibiotic therapy and infection control strategies in ICUs.
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