Drug-Resistant Trends of Acinetobacter Spp Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The escalating level of antimicrobial resistance in Pakistan poses a significant threat to public health nationwide. Objective: To evaluate the antibiotic resistance trend of Acinetobacter spp before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and differences in antimicrobial resistance rates. Methods: This study assessed the microbiological data in two periods: before COVID-19 (January 2017- March 2020) and during the COVID-19 period (April 1, 2020- March 31, 2021). Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed by using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Results: Out of 625 strains of Acinetobacter, 462 (73.9%) were isolated in the pre-COVID-19 period and 163 (26.0%) during the COVID-19 period. The percentages of females in the pre COVID-19 and during COVID-19 era were 53%, and the proportion of males was 46% and 45%, respectively. The age group of 16-30 years (34%) was most infected in both periods. In the pre-COVID era, the percentage of Acinetobacter spp isolated from pus and urine was 47% and 34%, respectively, while in the COVID-19 period, it changed to 48% and 16%, respectively. The drugs that showed a significant increase in resistance during the COVID-19 period were Imipenem 53%, Aztreonam 91% to 100%, Ciprofloxacin 65% to 75%, Moxifloxacin 66% to 100%, Cefotaxime 61% to 97% and Tazobactam 61 to 71%. In the Lahore division, the infection rate increased from 35% (in the pre-COVID era) to 41% (during the COVID era). Conclusions: The notable differences in resistance patterns before and after the COVID-19 era indicate a decrease in the choices of drugs for Acinetobacter infections.