Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated From Vulnerable Patients in Korea, 2021

Abstract

Background: We compared the antimicrobial resistance rates (AMRs) of major glucose nonfermentinggram-negative bacilli, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa,under different clinical conditions. The purpose of the study was to provide usefulbackground data to set up infection control strategies for infection-vulnerable patients. Methods: The AMRs of blood isolates were compared in various clinical conditions, usingdata from the Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System in Korea. Results: A. baumannii blood isolates from patients with healthcare-associated infections,inpatients, or intensive care unit (ICU)-admitted patients consistently exhibited higher AMRsto most antimicrobials, except minocycline, tigecycline, and colistin, compared with thosefrom patients with community-acquired infections, outpatients, or non-ICU-admitted patients,respectively. P. aeruginosa blood isolates from patients with healthcare-associated infectionsshowed higher AMRs to most antimicrobials, except ceftazidime and aztreonam, comparedwith those from patients with community-acquired infections, but not compared to thosefrom inpatients or ICU-admitted patients. Conclusion: Higher AMRs were associated with A. baumannii bloodstream infectionsunder various clinical conditions, such as healthcare-associated infections and infections ininpatients and ICU-admitted patients. Considering the high AMRs and the limited number oftreatment options of A. baumannii, vigorous efforts should be used to prevent the spreadingof A. baumannii infections in patients with vulnerable conditions.