Changes in the Epidemiology of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Six-Year Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northeastern Thailand.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare systems and antimicrobial stewardship, potentially altering antimicrobial resistance patterns. This study characterized temporal changes in the proportions of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and identified associated factors before and during the pandemic at a tertiary care hospital in northeastern Thailand. Methods: A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted at Roi Et Hospital, including 5458 culture-confirmed MDRO cases (2017-2022), stratified into pre-pandemic (2017-2019) and pandemic (2020-2022) periods. Pathogen-specific resistance proportions were compared using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multivariable logistic regression identified independently associated factors within each period. Results: The proportion of MDRO cases classified as hospital-acquired increased from 40.71% to 57.41% (p < 0.001). Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) increased markedly (22.87% to 76.11%; OR 10.75, 95% CI 9.43-12.26), followed by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) (4.05% to 21.61%; OR 6.54, 95% CI 5.84-7.32) and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) (14.32% to 27.15%; OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.87-2.65; all p < 0.001). Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) declined significantly (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.25-0.68; p < 0.001). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) showed a higher proportion among clinical isolates (3.28% to 6.34%; OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.42-2.83), although without a consistent annual trend. In multivariable analyses, ICU admission was independently associated with lower odds of CRE (aOR 0.52) and CRPA (aOR 0.63) and with higher odds of CRAB (aOR 2.13; all p < 0.001). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a major proportional shift toward carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, with distinct profiles of associated factors across CRAB, CRE, and CRPA. These findings highlight the need for pathogen-specific infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship strategies during healthcare system disruptions.
Authors
Pangseeta Pangseeta, Pussadu Pussadu, Putthanachote Putthanachote, Tawarungruang Tawarungruang, Hardthakwong Hardthakwong, Boueroy Boueroy, Ungcharoen Ungcharoen, Jenjaroenpun Jenjaroenpun, Kerdsin Kerdsin, Chopjitt Chopjitt
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