Comparative Study of Antibiotic Resistance Pattern for Gram-positive Bacteria Pre and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AR) is a universal crisis that requires emergent attention and solution. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has provided a real danger to global health. In a try to surround the spread of COVID-19, a large quantity of antibiotics (AB) has been used. During COVID-19 there are real threats that could affect AB activity and potentiate AR. Patients and Method: The study was done in eleven hospitals in Baghdad taking a time of eight months from 1 November 2019 to 30 June 2020. Seven types of AB discs were utilised; those are amoxicillin-clavulanate, azithromycin, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, levofloxacin, meropenem and vancomycin. In the current study, 1324 samples were isolated and tested to detect AR toward AB pre and post COVID-19 pandemic. The microbial isolates were confirmed by the standard microbiological tests. Results: The study revealed that the main bacterial isolates pre-pandemic were Staphylococcus aureus, whereas post-pandemic isolates were Streptococcus species. The AR of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, and B-hemolytic streptococci to amoxicillin-clavulanate, ceftriaxone, and gentamicin was higher in COVID than non-COVID patients. While the AR was variable for the other four AB (Azithromycin, levofloxacin, meropenem, and Vancomycin). Conclusion: Azithromycin, levofloxacin, vancomycin less resisted than amoxicillin-clavulanate, ceftriaxone, gentamycin by Gram-positive bacteria in COVID patients. Meropenem represents a golden standard AB in treating infections during the pandemic attack.