STUDY OF RESISTANCE FOR RECENTLY MARKETED CARBAPENEM DRUG AMONG HOSPITALISED PATIENTS IN SANA'A, YEMEN

Ali Alyahawi; Ali Alkaf; Rashad Alnamer; Taha Alnosary

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v3i5.203

Ali Alyahawi Depatment of Pharmacy, Al-Razi University, Yemen
Ali Alkaf Faculty of Pharmacy, Sana'a University, Yemen.
Rashad Alnamer Faculty of Pharmacy, Thamar University, Yemen.
Taha Alnosary Faculty of Medical Sciences, The National University, Yemen.

10.22270/ujpr.v3i5.203

Keywords:

Meropenem, prevalence, resistance

Abstract

Objective: Carbapenem resistance is a major and a future public health problem globally. It occurs mainly among Gram-negative bacteria. Meropenem is the recently marketed carbapenem drug in Yemen. However, recent emergence of carbapenem-resistant isolates has become a major healthcare concern. The current study was designed to estimate the prevalence of meropenem resistance among hospitalised patients in Sana'a, Yemen.

Methods: The study was performed at a local hospital in Sana’a, Yemen. The records of Meropenem susceptibility were taken for hospitalised patients. A total of 443 Meropenem susceptibility samples were collected from August, 2017 to July, 2018. The meropenem susceptibility was studied against several isolated pathogens.

Results: Out of 443 study sample, 316 (71.3%) were meropenem sensitive isolates and 25.3% of samples were resistant. The Escherichia coli isolates were observed in 27.5% of sample, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.6%). 36.4% of total meropenem sensitive isolates (115/316) were Escherichia coli. 82.4% (42/51) of Klebsiella pneumonia isolates were meropenem sensitive and 32.2% (28/87) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were meropenem resistance. In the present study, 34.5% (109/316) of meropenem sensitive isolates were from blood cultures, followed by sputum cultures (23.7%; 75/316). However, 58% (65/112) of sputum culture isolates were meropenem resistance.

Conclusion: This study concluded that the percentage of resistance to meropenem was high (25.3%) and cannot be neglected. Continued surveillance to closely monitor trends as well as infection control and antibiotic stewardship activities are necessary to preserve treatment options. A more careful monitoring for use of broad-spectrum antibiotics should be instituted.