BACTERIAL RESISTANCE TO CEFTRIAXONE IN DIFFERENT SPECIMENS AT GOVERNMENTAL HOSPITALS IN GAZA STRIP

Abstract

Ceftriaxone is one of the most prescribed antibiotics in hospitalized patients in Gaza. This study aimed to screen the antimicrobial resistance profile of ceftriaxone in the Gaza Strip (GS) in the State of Palestine. This study was cross-sectional, hospital-based, and was conducted in governmental hospitals across GS. The study started in November 2017 and continued till December 2018. Clinical samples such as pus, urine, sputum, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and others were collected from hospitalized patients and outpatient clinics attendants. After identification of the bacterial isolates, a standard disc diffusion technique for drug susceptibility test was performed. Totally, 4397 bacterial isolates were obtained. Escherichia coli isolates were 38.3%, Klebsiella species were 16.4%, Pseudomonas species were 11.7%, and Staphylococcus aureus isolates were 11.5%. These mentioned organisms were the predominant organisms isolated from the study subjects. Additionally, 51.1% of the clinical isolates were found to be resistant to ceftriaxone. Also, 4.9% and 44.0% of the isolates remain intermediate and susceptible to ceftriaxone. E coli showed 50.0% (841/1683) resistance, while Klebsiella species showed 69.7% (502/720) resistance. Pseudomonas species showed 57.0% (294/516) resistance and S aureus showed 37.8% (191/505) resistance to ceftriaxone. Acinetobacter species showed 87.3% (96/110) resistance. Clinical isolates showed differences in their resistance to ceftriaxone during the study period, in different age categories, genders, and specimen types. The present study demonstrated an increase in the microbial resistance to ceftriaxone. It is very important to establish efficient strategies, updated prescribing guidelines and stewardship programs to preserve the efficiency of the antibiotics.