Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Gram negative bacteria isolated from intensive care units in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Antimicrobial resistance by bacteria isolates continues to receive attention globally. This investigation looks into the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Gram negative bacteria isolated from intensive care unit patients in Al-Ahsa, KSA. Bacteria samples were classified based on the CDC criteria for the definition of ICU infections. Gram negative bacteria had been isolated on MacConkey agar using basic bacteriological technique. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility was carried out using the GN cards of the Vitek 2 compact system. The results showed non-ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumoniae to be the most frequently encountered, isolated from 21% (n=23) of the patients. Other isolates were ESBL producing Escherichia coli (9.47%) and K. pneumoniae (3.77%), E. coli (15.09%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.38%), Proteus mirabilis (9.43%), Acinetobacter baumannii (8.5%), and Carbapenem resistant K. pneumoniae amongst others. Resistance to five antibiotic groups was seen in A. baumannii, Enterobacter, E. coli, K. pneumoniae ESBL K. pneumoniae, non ESBL K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. The association between bacteria resistance to antibiotic groups was statistically significant with a p-value of 0.00001. The encountered isolates showed both multi-drug resistance as well as extensive drug resistance against the tested drug. This information is being provided for Al-Ahsa and would be important for regional surveillance.