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. Copyright (c) 2022: Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Background: The development of bacteria resistant to the antimicrobial (AM) in hospitals and other health care settings is a main concern of public health. Great AM consumption chiefly in hospitals frequently defined as the most vital factor leading to bacterial resistance. The aim of this study is to investigate the most common bacteria that encountered in medical institutions and bacterial resistance to AM before and after COVID-19. Patient and method: The current study was conducted in eleven medical institutions in Baghdad through a period of six months from January to June 2020. Seven AM disc types were used which are amoxicillin-clavulanate, azithromycin, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, levofloxacin, meropenem and vancomycin. In this study, 1324 samples were isolated and examined for detection of bacterial resistance to AM before and after pandemic of COVID-19. Culture samples were tested directly by Vitek 2 that give dependable proof of identity and susceptibility outcomes after 18-24 h. Results: Cultures revealed that the main isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumonia (Kl. pneumonia) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Ps. aeruginosa ) at a percentage of 54%, 23% and 23%, respectively. Meropenem was the main sensitive AM before COVID-19 whereas gentamicin was the main resistant AM. After pandemic of COVID-19, the resistance to all AM was increased. Conclusion: The main isolated bacteria were E. coli and the more effective AM was meropenem. After spreading of COVID-19, the bacterial resistance to all tested AM was increased due to more frequent use of these medications in the treatment of secondary bacterial infections.