Frequency and Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern among Bacterial Clinical Isolates Recovered from Different Specimens in Egypt

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat resulting in high mortality rates. Current study aimed to identify the most prevalent pathogens among variable infection sites and their AMR pattern. Data concerning cultures and antibiotic susceptibilities were retrieved from Microbiology Department’s records and statistically analyzed. Out of 554 bacterial isolates, Gram negative isolates (68.4%) were predominant. Urine specimens showed the highest incidence of recovery of total isolates (41.5%, n=230) followed by blood (23.1%, n=128), while sputum specimens exhibited the least frequency (17%, n=94). E. coli (30.7%, n=170), S. aureus (21.1%, n=117) and Klebsiella spp (20.9%, n=116) were the most frequently isolated pathogens. Recovery of isolates was significantly more frequent among males (P<0.05) except in case of urine specimens. Highest incidence of resistance in both Gram positive and Gram negative isolates was recorded in case of cephalosporins and penicillin/β-lactamase. Gram positive isolates exhibited the least resistance to linezolid (10.8%) and vancomycin (9.5%) whereas colistin was the most effective against Gram negative isolates as it recorded 16.4% resistance. Higher frequency of multiple drug resistance (MDR) was also observed in Gram negative isolates compared to Gram positive ones. Resistance to uropathogens and MDR were significantly more frequent in males. Although E. coli was the most prevalent uropathogen but it showed the least incidence of MDR however Pseudomonas spp exhibited the highest MDR rate. The high incidence of resistance in the current study is alarming and highlights the necessity of routinely monitoring the local prevalence of resistance for selecting the best antimicrobial treatment and as a guide for empirical therapy