Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance (Dec 2024)

Distribution of anaerobic bacteria in clinical specimens - an 8-year retrospective study

  • Djana Granov,
  • Daria Bekić,
  • Amela Dedeić Ljubović

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 39
p. 37

Abstract

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AIM: This study aims to provide comprehensive overview of differences in antibiotic susceptibility profiles of anaerobic bacteria. Background: Anaerobic bacteria are part of human microbiome and can lead to severe infections. Detecting these bacteria can be challenging due to the complex culture techniques involved, which include specimen collection, transportation, anaerobic incubation systems, and high-quality isolation media. As a result, anaerobic bacteria are frequently overlooked. METHODS: In a retrospective study at the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo from 2015 to 2023, anaerobic isolates from clinical specimens were examined using standard procedures and confirmed by the VITEK 2 System(BioMerieux). The isolates were tested for penicillin, clindamycin, meropenem, and metronidazole susceptibility. RESULTS: From a total of 30344 specimens, 2293(7,55%) were positive for anaerobic bacteria. Bacteroides spp. was the most common anaerobic isolate at 52%(1588/3054), followed by Peptococcus spp. at 15%(459/3054), Fusobacterium spp. at 12,7%(390/3054), Clostridium spp. at 9,1% (300/3054). These were most frequently detected in surgical(50,1%,1134/2263) and internal departments(36,1%,817/2263). Resistance rates were 12.5%(385) for penicillin and 28.5%(874) for clindamycin, with an increase in clindamycin resistance from 20% in 2015 to 31% in 2023. No resistance was observed for metronidazole and meropenem. CONCLUSION: Anaerobic bacteria have become significant pathogens, with surgical departments having the highest number of positive isolates. This is unsurprising as surgical sites provide favorable conditions for their growth. In their treatment, metronidazole remains the preferred antibiotic. Understanding the distribution of anaerobic bacteria may aid in selecting appropriate empirical treatment, particularly in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance and intrinsic drug resistance.

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