Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of microorganisms in a university hospital from Vitória (ES), Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) occur during the hospital stay as a result of underlying morbidity, invasive procedures, acute pathology or medical treatment. They lead prolonged stay and, consequently, to an increase in financial charges. The main tool to control these infections is the use of antimicrobials. However, the increase in resistance and the low frequency of discovery of new drugs justify the research that evaluates the resistance profile of microorganisms to antimicrobials. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of HAIs at a philanthropic reference hospital in Espírito Santo, Brazil. METHODS: Observational, retrospective and cross-sectional study, between July 2014 and June 2016. Data on blood, urine and corporal secretions culture were collected from the data base of the Hospital Infection Control Commission. RESULTS: There was a high prevalence of HAIs in patients older than 60 years. Two hundred and forty three (47.55%) patients were female. The four most prevalent bacteria were: Acinetobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Polymyxin was the drug which presented the best antimicrobial effects. CONCLUSION: Polymyxin was active in vitro against all isolates of Acinetobacter spp. Regarding K. pneumoniae, both polymyxin and amikacin showed a significant effectiveness. Regarding Pseudomonas aeruginosa, polymyxin was effective in all samples. Regarding S. aureus, teicoplanin, daptomycin and vancomycin were effective in all samples. Polymyxin showed a good overall in vitro activity.

Keywords

• antimicrobial resistance
• hospital-acquired infection
• bacteria
• antibacterials
• microbial susceptibility testing