Survey of bloodstream infection isolates: SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1997-2002)

ABSTRACT

Regional antimicrobial surveillance programs might help to guide empiric antimicrobial therapy. This study reports the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of 2198 isolates from bloodstream infections in a period of 1997 to 2002. Susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution methods. The most frequent organism was Staphylococcus aureus (23.4%) with an oxacillin-resistance rate of 41.8%. Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases phenotype was presented in 10.0% of Escherichia coli and 49.4% in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. Imipenem and meropenem were active against 74.3% and 84.0% of Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. Bacterial resistance continues to be a great problem in Argentinean medical centers.