Antibiotic susceptibility of Acinetobacter baumannii strains in a university hospital

Abstract

Objective: Nowadays nearly, Acinetobacter baumannii has become an incurable nosocomial infections’ pathogen due to its ability developing multiple resistance against antibiotics strains In our study, it was aimed to determine rates of resistance of A. baumannii strains isolated from various samples in the Dicle University Hospital. Methods: A. baumannii culture results of 270 patients that were followed in the Dicle University Medical Faculty Hospital between June 2010 and June 2011 were evaluated. Resistance rates of A. baumannii strains were cultured by conventional methods and BD Phoenix (BD Diagnostic Systems, Sparks, MD) automated system. Results: Our study included 82 (30.4%) female and 188 (69.6%) male. Resistance rates of A. baumannii strains were as follows: amikacin (76%), ampicillin / sulbactam (94%), aztreonam (96%), cefepime (95%), cefotaxime (98%), ceftazidime (95%), ciprofloxacin (93%), colistin (6%), gentamicin (94%), imipenem (87%), levofloxacin (87%), meropenem (87%), piperacillin / tazobactam (92%), tetracycline (84%), trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (82%). Conclusions: A. baumannii strains isolated from our cultures have very high rate of resistance against antimicrobial agents except colistin. It should not be forgotten that antibiotic susceptibility may change from year to year in the regions, hospitals and even clinics, and resistance rates should be continuously monitored. When selecting empiric treatment, resistance rates of A. baumannii of that location should be considered until having culture results. In the infections caused by A. baumannii cultures and antibiograms should be repeated during treatment because that A. baumannii strains may change resistance ratio.