Trends in bacterial susceptibility to antimicrobial agents
Related Experiment Videos
Abstract:
Concern over the development of drug resistance by common pathogens has grown over recent years. In order to discover and describe possible trends at this institution, susceptibility data for 18 organisms and 21 antimicrobial agents for the years 1975 through 1982 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Oklahoma City were reviewed. Summaries of susceptibility data for 64 major combinations of drugs and organisms are presented. Two gram-positive organisms (enterococcus group D and Staphylococcus aureus) as well as a gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) appear to be decreasing in susceptibility to several drugs. However, some gram-negative bacilli (Proteus, Serratia, and Enterobacter spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae) showed evidence of markedly increasing susceptibility to certain drugs.
Insights
Antimicrobial resistance trends show decreasing susceptibility in common pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, some gram-negative bacteria are becoming more susceptible to certain drugs.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Stewardship
Background:
- Growing concern regarding the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in common bacterial pathogens.
- Need to identify institutional trends in drug resistance to inform treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze antimicrobial susceptibility trends over an eight-year period (1975-1982) at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Oklahoma City.
- To identify specific pathogens exhibiting increasing or decreasing susceptibility to antimicrobial agents.
Main Methods:
- Review of susceptibility data for 18 organisms and 21 antimicrobial agents.
- Analysis of 64 major drug-organism combinations.
- Retrospective study design.
Main Results:
- Decreasing susceptibility observed in gram-positive organisms (enterococcus group D, Staphylococcus aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Increasing susceptibility noted in gram-negative bacilli including Proteus, Serratia, Enterobacter spp., and Klebsiella pneumoniae to certain drugs.
Conclusions:
- Specific pathogens demonstrate evolving resistance patterns, necessitating ongoing monitoring.
- Identified trends in antimicrobial susceptibility can guide empirical therapy and antimicrobial stewardship efforts.