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Published on: April 18, 2019
Meropenem Use and Challenges in Treating Severe Infections in Pakistan Amid Antimicrobial Resistance
Nasim Akhtar1, Ejaz Ahmed Khan2, Summiya Nizamuddin3
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, pims.gov.pk.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Meropenem resistance is rising in Pakistan due to antibiotic misuse, complicating treatment of severe infections. Strategies like targeted therapy and improved prescribing are crucial to preserve meropenem
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Meropenem is a critical carbapenem antibiotic for severe bacterial infections.
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global crisis, particularly concerning Gram-negative pathogens.
- Pakistan faces acute challenges with meropenem resistance due to widespread antibiotic overuse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review meropenem resistance trends in Pakistan.
- To examine prescribing practices for severe infections in Pakistan.
- To highlight how inappropriate meropenem use drives local antimicrobial resistance.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of relevant literature.
- Structured search of major scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar).
- Use of predefined keywords for literature identification.
Main Results:
- High meropenem resistance rates observed in Pakistan for key pathogens.
- E. coli shows relative sensitivity, while Acinetobacter species exhibit low susceptibility.
- Resistance is driven by extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemase-producing organisms.
Conclusions:
- Judicious meropenem use and targeted antimicrobial strategies are essential.
- Robust surveillance and real-time resistance monitoring are needed.
- Healthcare provider education and stewardship programs are vital to preserve meropenem's efficacy.
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