Analysis of Epidemiology and Drug Resistance Patterns of ESKAPE and Non-ESKAPE pathogens at Nigde Hospital in Turkey: A Retrospective Study

PurposeThis study, aimed at determining the epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of infectious diseases caused by ESKAPE and non-ESKAPE microorganisms in patients hospitalized at the Nigde Omer Halisdemir University Training and Research Hospital in Nigde, Turkey, is a crucial step in understanding and combating the global public health problem posed by the ESKAPE pathogens. Materials and methodsA retrospective analysis was conducted at a primary tertiary care teaching reference hospital in Nigde. The study included patients admitted to the hospital between June 2022 and June 2024. The hospital information system offered clinical and demographic data for the patients. Furthermore, the hospitals microbiology lab acquired information on bacterial isolates and antibiotic resistance. ResultsThis study included 13378 bacterial isolates, predominantly gram-negative bacteria, particularly those from the Enterobacterales group. Among these isolates, 9798 (73.2%) were identified as ESKAPE pathogens, and 3580 (26.8%) were identified as non-ESKAPE bacteria. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) accounted for the highest proportion of infections (34.47%), followed by the pediatric unit (22.6%). The most common infections were caused by Escherichia coli (4747 isolates, 35.5%), K. pneumoniae (1921 isolates, 19.6 %), and Acinetobacter baumannii (1049 isolates, 10.7 %). Furthermore, the analysis revealed that approximately 50.86% of the ESKAPE isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR). XDR was predominantly detected in Acinetobacter baumannii (72.4%), whereas MDR was predominantly detected in Enterococcus faecium (76.9%). In contrast, Non MDR was predominantly detected across non-ESKAPE pathogens in Staphylococcus hemolyticus (96.1%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (86.5%), and Staphylococcus hominis (84.5%). Demographic data from the study highlighted significant age group disparities in individuals infected by the ESKAPE and the non-ESKAPE bacteria, with a more substantial proportion of older and children individuals represented in the research sample. ConclusionsThis study underscores the significant threat posed by multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens in reference hospital settings, emphasizing the urgent need for effective surveillance and control measures.