Fatih Mehmet Akıllı
Academic Journal of Health - 2025;3(3):81-86
Objectives This study presents antibiotic susceptibility data for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) isolates recovered in our hospital between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022. Methods Over the 3-year period, we analyzed annual antibiograms and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positivity rates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates recovered from urine and non-urine clinical specimens submitted to the clinical microbiology laboratory. Only isolates identified as causative agents of infection in adult patients were included. Data were stratified by specimen type into urinary and non-urinary groups; non-urinary specimens comprised blood, respiratory, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method and the VITEK(R)2 Compact automated system (bioMérieux, France). ESBL production was assessed using the double-disk synergy test and the automated system. Antibiogram quality control was routinely performed monthly. Results A total of 4,129 E. coli and 1,385 K. pneumoniae isolates were included. Overall ESBL positivity was 21.0% for E. coli and 33.2% for Klebsiella spp. Over the study period, E. coli isolates showed susceptibility rates exceeding 80% for carbapenems, aminoglycosides, ceftriaxone, and fosfomycin. Conclusion Determining susceptibility profiles and ESBL positivity rates for commonly isolated pathogens such as E. coli and K. pneumoniae is critical. Healthcare institutions should perform these analyses regularly in accordance with national and international guidelines and share results with relevant stakeholders. Such efforts support local and national antimicrobial stewardship programs and guide empirical therapy strategies.
