Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of A. baumanii isolated from blood cultures during a 3-year period.

Methods and material:

Blood cultures were performed by the Bactec system (Becton Dickinson), the identification of A. baumanii was carried out by the Vitek system and the susceptibility testing by disc diffusion.

Results:

During a 3-year period, 52 strains of A. baumanii were isolated from blood cultures in our hospital. All isolated strains were resistant to cefoxitin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin. Frequency of resistance to gentamicin, tobramycin and netilmicin was 57, 36 and 36%, respectively. All strains were sensitive to colistin.

Conclusion:

Our study showed a high rate of multidrug-resistant A. baumanii isolated from blood cultures in our hospital. We should re-examine our policy on restrictions on the use of antibiotics and warn clinicians of the emerging problem.