Carbapenem Resistance among Gram-Negative Bloodstream Isolates in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Six-Month Retrospective Analysis

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) have rising as a main public health issue due to its rising incidence and limited antibiotic treatment options. Bloodstream infections caused by these strains are connected with prolonged hospitalization, and higher mortality, and increased healthcare costs. This investigation aimed to detect the presence of CR-GNB isolated from BSIs in a tertiary care hospital. This current retrospective observational investigation was done in the Department of Microbiology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu, India, by collecting blood culture records from October 2023 to March 2024. A total of 1885 blood culture samples collect and processed during the investigation period, among them 425 were analysed through the BACTEC automated blood culture system. Identification of bacteria and antibiotic susceptibility test was done. Among the 425 blood cultures analysed using the BACTEC method, 196 (46.1%) were showed culture-positive, remaining 229 (53.9%) reported no growth. 29 (6.8%) GNB isolates were isolated, among them 13 (44.8%) were detected as carbapenem-resistant. The overall prevalence of carbapenem-resistant GNB was 3.1%. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common pathogen showed resistance to carbapenem for 76.9% (10/13, followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (15.4%) and Escherichia coli (7.7%). And interestingly none of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa were detected resistant to carbapenem. This investigation showed the rising incidence of CR-GNB among BSIs, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most common resistant organism. Routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Continuous surveillance, and effective infection prevention measures are important to decrease the carbapenem-resistant organisms spread in healthcare settings.

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