In-vitro activity of tigecycline against multidrug-resistant Gram negative bacteria: The experience of a university hospital

Abstract

The emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram negative bacteria has given rise to significant therapeutic challenges. These pathogens may have developed resistance to tigecycline, which is an alternative antibiotic used empirically in the treatment of serious infections.The objectives of this study were to identify the in-vitro activity of tigecycline against multidrug-resistant Gram negative strains isolated from clinical specimens and their related genes, at a university hospital. For this, 150 clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant Gram negative cultures from various clinical specimens were collected. Bacterial isolates were cultured, identified and their antibiotic susceptibilities were determined. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify AcrB, AmpC, RamR, MexR, AdeB, TetA genes. Results revealed that all isolates were multidrug-resistant. The resistance of isolates was 91.4% to aztreonam, 94.6% to piperacillin, 34% to imipenem, 38.7% to meropenem, 71.3% to levofloxacin, 97.3% to ceftriaxone, 94.7% to cefepime, 9.3% to colistin, 78% to tetracycline, 21.4% to tigecycline and 68% to trimethoprim.AcrB, AmpC, RamR, MexR, AdeB, TetA genes were present in multidrug-resistant Gram negative bacteria. AcrB, RamR, TetA genes were related to tigecycline resistance. It is concluded that infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram negative bacteria occur at a high rate. Most isolates were multi drug resistant, with 21.4% being resistant to tigecycline.