Antibacterial Susceptibility Patterns and Cross-Resistance of Acinetobacter, Isolated from Hospitalized Patients, Southern Iran

BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter is a multi-drug resistant and nosocomial pathogen. The aim of this study was to determine antibacterial susceptibility patterns and cross-resistance of Acinetobacter species. METHODS: This study was conducted in Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz, Iran from October 2007 to September 2008. Species identification was carried out by API E20. Minimum inhibitory concentration and cross-resistance of the isolated strains to 12 antibiotics were determined by E-test method. RESULTS: Eighty eight isolates of Acinetobacter were collected from patients’ samples. Acinetobacter baumannii was isolated most frequently (79; 89.8%). Colistin, imipenem and meropenem were found to be the three most effective antibiotics with 97.7%, 77.3% and 72.7% activity against the isolates, respectively. Multi-drug resistance was revealed among 2 to 11 antibiotics and high cross-resistance was also noticed. CONCLUSION: To alleviate the situation, strict control measures and appropriate effective antibiotic therapy should be adopted to reduce hospital costs and related mortality.