The Gram-Negative bacterial infections in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a Middle-Eastern University Hospital remained susceptible to carbapenems in 2015

The incidence of the carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria is on the rise. They are common in intensive care units (ICUs) and have the potential to cause outbreaks. Currently, there are limited data regarding this phenomenon in Iran, a tropical, developing country, located in the Middle East. A cross sectional retro respective study was performed between April 2015 and October 2015, in Moheb hospital 12 bed intensive care unit, a university hospital, to investigate the prevalence of the carbapenem-resistant infections. 69 clinical specimens were collected. 37 of them were resistant to both imipenem and meropenem, which indicates a resistance rate of 53.6 per cent. we founded a carbapenem resistance rate of 53.6% in our intensive care unit. This finding is consistent with previous local published reports of resistance to the other members of carbapenem antibiotic family. According to previous studies screening for carbapenem resistant bacteria carriers in high risk units, undertake strict contact precautions for carriers and antibiotic stewardship programs to spare carbapenems is highly recommended.