Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in ICU-Related CAUTIs: Insights and Strategies” (A Cross Sectional Study)

Mohamed, Ola Abdelkhalek; Ahmed Hassanin, Ahmed  Sadek; Ali, Amal Hassan; Abbass, Mohamed

doi:10.21608/aumj.2025.391344.1242

Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in ICU-Related CAUTIs: Insights and Strategies” (A Cross Sectional Study)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan university

² Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, ِAssiut university

³ Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University

10.21608/aumj.2025.391344.1242

Abstract

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a major cause of morbidity in ICU pa-tients, with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) complicating their management. This study investi-gates the antimicrobial resistance patterns and effective therapeutic strategies for CAUTIs in ICU patients at Aswan University Hospital. A total of 200 patients with indwelling Foley cathe-ters were included between June 2023 and June 2024. Urine samples were collected 48 hours post-catheterisation under sterile conditions, with 10–20 cc of urine processed for Gram staining and culture. Culture plates were incubated at 37 °C for 18–24 hours, and antimicrobial suscepti-bility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, adhering to Clinical and laboratory standards institute.

The in vitro susceptibility analysis revealed significant resistance among Gram-negative bacteria to commonly used antibiotics, including ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and cephalospor-ins. Carbapenems and amikacin were identified as the most effective antibiotics against frequent-ly isolated pathogens, which included multidrug-resistant strains of Klebsiella spp. and E. coli. Alarmingly, the majority of Gram-negative isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant, high-lighting the critical need for targeted interventions. Hypertention and diabetes were significantly associated with Klebsiella spp. and E. coli.

These findings underscore the necessity of robust antimicrobial stewardship programs, routine pathogen surveillance, and the development of alternative therapeutic strategies.

Keywords