Bloodstream infections and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in intensive care unit

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Bloodstream infections (BSI) are a major cause of death in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, complicating BSI treatment.
• Understanding local resistance patterns is crucial for effective patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of pathogens causing BSIs in ICU patients.
• To identify common resistant organisms, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
• To inform empirical treatment strategies and infection control measures in critical care settings.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study involving 887 blood culture samples from ICU patients.
• Standard microbiological culturing and identification of isolates.
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) to determine resistance patterns.

Main Results:

• 22.78% of blood cultures were positive, with 14.88% showing mono-microbial growth.
• Gram-negative bacteria (45.2%) and Gram-positive bacteria (43.9%) were the most common isolates.
• High rates of resistance were observed: 77.3% of Gram-negatives were ESBL producers, and 97.5% of Gram-positives were MRSA.

Conclusions:

• Critically ill patients in ICUs frequently harbor multidrug-resistant organisms causing BSIs.
• The high prevalence of ESBL-producing Gram-negatives and MRSA necessitates careful antibiotic selection.
• Findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced antibiotic stewardship and infection control to mitigate AMR.