Clinical Importance of Emerging ESKAPE Pathogens and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile from a Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Bacterial species from the ESKAPE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter species) have high resistance rates by escaping the action of the antimicrobials and are responsible for two third of all health care associated infections. Aim of our study was to find out the bacterial profile and characterize the antimicrobial resistance in ESKAPE pathogens isolated from various specimens. A three year retrospective study was undertaken. Urine samples, pus/wound swabs, respiratory samples, blood samples received in the microbiology laboratory were included &processed as per standard techniques and bacteria identified. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined according to Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. 41.5% of S. aureus isolates were confirmed to be methicillin resistant and 5.9% vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) were identified. A high multidrug resistance was observed for Acinetobacter and P. aeruginosa than Enterobacteriaceae. For carbapenem group, resistance varied from 8 to 27%. Resistance to amikacin and netilmycin was lower (4- 11%) for gram negative ESKAPE pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance surveillance reports on regular basis can provide valuable insight into resistance trends at a particular medical facility to assist in guidance in the appropriate choice of empiric therapy in diseases due to ESKAPE pathogens. Introduction