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.