Antimicrobial Resistance Nosocomial Strains of Enterobacter spp. in Ukrainian surgical Hospitals: results of multicenter study

Objective. To determine activity of antimicrobials against Enterobacter spp. isolated from patients hospitalized to surgical departments in different Ukrainian hospitals. Materials and methods. A total of 3991 Enterobacter spp. isolated from patients with surgical site infections in 24 surgical hospitals in 17 Ukrainian regions. The identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterobacter spp. were determined, using automated microbiology analyzer. Some antimicrobial susceptibility test used Kirby - Bauer antibiotic testing. Interpretative criteria were those suggested by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Results. The most potent antimicrobials were imipenem, meropenem, cefixime and amikacinum. The high rates of resistance were found to penicillin (46,2%), ampicillin/sulbactam (42,9%), gentamicin (40,4%), ceftazidime (39,4%), ampicillin (38,2%), and cefuroxime (36,3%). Conclusions. (1) Resistance of nosocomial strains of Enterobacter spp. at in patient medical institutions, that are subject to research, is a serious therapeutic and epidemiologic issue. Imipenem, meropenem, cefixime and amikacinum have been the most active to nosocomial strains of Enterobacter spp. (2) Taking into account resent changes and resistance levels of nosocomial strains of Enterobacter spp., which take place in various regions, constant monitoring over resistance to antimicrobials at every in patient medical institution is required. Also, hospital record sheets of antibiotics should be elaborated based upon the local data received. (3) Antibiotics utilization policy in each surgical in patient institution should be determined based in accordance with the local data on resistance to antimicrobials. (4) System of epidemiologic surveillance over antimicrobial resistance should be established on the local, regional, and national level.