Resistance to antibiotics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Colombian hospitals

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections cause high morbidity and mortality. We performed a descriptive analysis of the rates of antibiotic resistance in isolates of P. aeruginosa in 33 hospitals enrolled in a surveillance network in Colombia. The study was conducted between January 2005 and December 2009.9905 isolates of P. aeruginosa were identified,(4.9 % of all strains). In intensive care units (ICU) P aeruginosa showed an overall resistance to aztreonam, cefepime, ceftazidime, imipenem, meropenem, and piperacillin / tazobactam of 31.8%, 23.9%, 24.8%, 22.5%, 20.3% and 22.3%, respectively. Resistance rates increased for piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime, and imipenem; remained unchanged for meropenem; and decreased for aminoglycosides, quinolones and ceftazidime. Resistance to one, two and three or more families of antibiotics was found in 17%, 12.5%, and 32.1%, respectively. In samples collected from the wards, the resistance rate was lower but usually over 10%. Antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa isolates in hospitalized patients and particularly in those admitted to ICUs in Colombia is high.