Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 58 (4), 228-231, 2005
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Short Communication
Antimicrobial Resistance among Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Intensive Care Units in a Cardiology Institute in Istanbul, Turkey
Emine Kucukates*
Laboratory of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Institute of Cardiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
(Received January 17, 2005. Accepted March 17, 2005)
*Corresponding author: Mailing address: Nevbahar Mah. Tevfik Fikret Sok. Yimaz Ap. No: 62/7, Findikzade, Istanbul, Turkey. Tel: +90 212 414 3570, Fax: +90 212 586 1501, E-mail: eates2002@yahoo.com
SUMMARY: Antibiotic resistance among Gram-negative rods
(GNRs) causing hospital-acquired infections poses a threat, particularly
to intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This study was undertaken
in order to achieve the following: to detect the frequency of
GNRs isolated from coronary and surgical ICUs at the Institute
of Cardiology, Istanbul University, between January 2000 - December
2002; to compare the resistance of these GNRs to selected antibiotics;
and to determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases
(ESBLs). A total of 367 isolates were obtained from 171 patients.
Susceptibility testing and detection of ESBLs were performed using
the E-test method. Ceftazidime-clavulanate was used for the detection
of ESBLs. The majority of microorganisms were isolated from the
respiratory tract (45.5%) and blood (36.7%). Acinetobacter
baumannii was the most frequently isolated GNR (24.5%), followed
by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%). ESBL positivity was found
to be 21.1%. High rates of the ESBLs of Escherichia coli
and Klebsiella pneumoniae were observed, i.e., 27.7 and
57.5%, respectively. High rates of resistance to all antibiotics
studied were observed. The most active agent against the majority
of the isolates was imipenem (79.2%), followed by levofloxacin
(77%) and ciprofloxacin (71%).