Evolution of resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii in a Tunisian intensive care unit after antibiotherapy restriction

Introduction

The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii is increasing in Tunisian ICUs. The wide use of antibiotherapy is implicated certainly in this mechanism of resistance.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the evolution of A. baumannii resistance after a new strategy of prescription consisting of controlling and restriction of antibiotherapy prescription.

Materials and methods

Evolution of resistance of all A. baumannii isolates is compared between 2001 (before antibiotherapy restriction) and 2003–2004 (after).

Results

See Table 1.

Table 1

Conclusion

With antibiotherapy restriction we have obtained a significant reduction of resistance for piperacillin, ceftazidim and amikacin. We have obtained also a decrease of carbapenem-resistant isolates (37% vs 25%) but not significant enough if compared with other countries (5% in New York and 11% in Brazil).