Assessment of Antibiotic Resistance in Pediatric Infections: A Romanian Case Study on Pathogen Prevalence and...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Antibiotic misuse is a significant driver of antibiotic resistance globally and in Romania.
• Understanding local resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the antibiotic resistance profiles of prevalent bacterial pathogens in Romanian pediatric patients.
• To identify effective antibiotic treatments against common pediatric infections.

Main Methods:

• Observational study over six months involving 31 pediatric patients (12 days to 13 years).
• Disk diffusion method used to test bacterial isolates against various antibiotics.
• Identification of common Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains.

Main Results:

• High resistance rates observed for penicillin, oxacillin, and ampicillin across multiple bacterial species.
• Variable resistance to cephalosporins, with lower generations showing higher resistance.
• Effective activity demonstrated by linezolid, ertapenem, and teicoplanin against tested pathogens.
• Prevalent isolates included *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, *Escherichia coli*, *Streptococcus pneumoniae*, MRSA, *Streptococcus* spp., and *Elizabethkingia meningoseptica*.

Conclusions:

• Significant antibiotic resistance poses a threat to pediatric healthcare in Romania.
• Urgent need for controlled antibiotic use and exploration of alternative therapies.
• Linezolid and ertapenem represent promising therapeutic options, while penicillin and early-generation cephalosporins are increasingly ineffective.