Antimicrobialsusceptibility patterns of bacteria that commonly cause bacteremia at a tertiary hospital in Zambia.

Abstract

Background: Bloodstream infections and antimicrobial resistance cause globalincreases inmorbidity and mortality. Aim: We evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacteria that commonly cause bacteremia in humans. Materials & methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study at the University Teaching Hospitalsin Lusaka, Zambia, using Laboratory Information Systems. Results: The commonest isolated bacteria associated with sepsis were Klebsiella pneumoniae. The distribution of bacteria associated with bacteremia in different wards and departments pneumonia. The distribution of bacteria associated with bacteremia in different wards and departments at University Teaching Hospitals was were statistically significant (χ2=1211.518; p<0.001). Conclusion:K.pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pantoea agglomeransand Enterococcus species have developed high resistance levels against ampicillin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and a very low resistance levels against imipenem and Amikacin.