Spectrum of Antimicrobial Resistance in ICU Settings: An Observational Study

ABSTRACT:

Background: The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms poses a significant challenge in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, often leading to treatment failures and increased morbidity and mortality. Understanding the spectrum of resistance can aid in empirical treatment choices and containment strategies. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the spectrum of antimicrobial resistance among bacterial isolates obtained from patients in the ICU over a one-year period. Methods: In this observational, cross-sectional study, bacterial isolates from various specimens (blood, urine, sputum, wound swabs) of ICU patients across a tertiary care hospital were collected and analyzed. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method, and results were interpreted based on the current CLSI guidelines. Results: A total of 1,200 bacterial isolates were analyzed. Preliminary findings indicate a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Alarmingly, a significant proportion of the isolates demonstrated resistance to last-resort antibiotics. Conclusion: The observed high rates of multi-drug resistance in ICU settings underscore the urgent need for tailored antibiotic stewardship programs and robust infection control measures. Continuous monitoring of resistance patterns is essential to optimize patient outcomes and prevent the spread of resistant organisms.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, ICU, Observational study, MRSA, ESBL, Carbapenem-resistant.