Three-year Retrospective Analysis of the Distribution and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Isolates from Culture-Positive Clinical Specimens at the Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background The main concerns affecting human health are infectious diseases. Bacterial infections constitute a large portion of infectious disorders. Infections acquired in health institutions are also among their sources. The location of culture-positive specimens and profiles of antibiotic resistance for common pathogens were the focal points of subsequent investigations. Methodology: The diagnosis of microbiology was carried out using traditional culture techniques. In accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method was employed for antimicrobial susceptibility analysis. The data were extracted from WHONET and analyzed. Results In total, 2489 isolates were isolated from 2073 patient specimens from three consecutive years from different locations. According to this analysis, about 768 (34.9%) of the isolates were from the neonatal intensive care unit and the pediatric wards. 63.2% isolates were from blood specimens. The predominant isolates were gram-positive aerobic bacteria and aerobic gram-negative bacteria (1117, 44.9%) &amp; (1008, 40.5%), respectively. The ESKPAE pathogens were predominant (67%). In addition to antimicrobial activities, approximately 100 Entrobacterceae family member bacteria were resistant to carbapenem drugs, and 320 isolates of this family were expected to be beta lactamase producers. Approximately 120 methicillin-resistant <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> isolates were also identified. Conclusion Among the isolates, ESKAPE pathogens accounted for the greatest proportion. The most common isolates were from the neonatal intensive care unit. A significant number of multidrug-resistant, extreme drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant isolates were identified in the present study. The Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital must identify the source of infection for further preventive measures.