Antimicrobial resistance in the Caribbean - Poster abstract

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the resistance patterns of organisms causing hospital and community acquired infections in the English-and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. METHOD: The data on antimicrobial resistance of gram negative bacteria isolated in six laboratories during the first 6 month period in 1998 and pathogens isolated from community infections in selectedcountries during 1994-1997 were reviewed. RESULTS: The overall resistance of gram negative aerobic bacilli (excluding salmonella spp and shigella spp)to ampicillin (range 51-85 percent), gentamicin (range 3-11 percent and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (range 27 to 47 percent) did not significantly differ between the laboratories and countries. The resistance to third generation cephalosporins was 9 percent and 16 percent in two laboratories in Trinidad. Multiple antibiotic resistant S typhimurium PT 104b, S heidelberg, Sh flexnerii type 2/2a and low levels of ampicillin and gentamycin resistant S enteritidis strains causing community acquired enteric infections were observed in the Caribbean. The rates of penicillin resistant pneumococci (1 percent) and chloramphenicol resistant H. influenzae ( 3 percent) were low in the Caribbean. CONCLUSIONS: The potential for introduction and spread pf resistance genes in the Caribbean is very high. Hence, continuing surveillance of antimicrobial resistant pathogens in nosocomial and community is essential in the Caribbean. (AU)