The first results of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance system in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: In order to combat with antimicrobial resistance, some measures should be taken and determination of the current status is one of them. National antimicrobial resistance surveillance system (NAMRSS) was established for this purpose in Turkey. It was targeted to be useful for guidence of ampirical therapy, create antimicrobial usage policies, provide data to the guidebooks, and supply initial information to evaluate the efficasy of the measures taken. Methods: Data of resistance was collected from 55 hospital, from blood and cerebrospinal fluid isolates, which were S. aureus, E. faecalis and E. faecium, S. pneumoniae, E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. The antimicrobials and test methods were chosen in accordance with international surveillance systems. The collected data was analysed by WHONET software. Results: S. aureus (1437); meticillin resistance was 31.5%, rifampin, linezolid and vancomycin resistance were 65.3%, 2.3%, and 0.0%, respectively. E. faecalis (n=760) resistance of ampicillin was 9.7%, linezolid, vancomycin, teicoplanin were lower than 1%, high level (HL) aminoglycoside was around 30%. E. faecium (n=756) resistance of ampicillin was 88,1%, linezolid, teicoplanin were lower than 1%, vancomycin 17%, HL aminoglycoside was around 50%. S. pneumoniae (n=128) with non-meningitis breakpoints; resistance were lower than 5.2% for all antimicrobials other than erythromycin (32%), with meningitis breakpoints: resistance increased to 14,3-44,8%. E. coli (2280) and K. pneumoniae (1307), extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) was 51.6% and 54.0%, respectively. P. aeruginosa (825) resistance were changed in between 8.4% (amikacin) and 36.4% (piperacillin). Conclusion: The resistance was higher among the countries in close geographical region and increased in time, indicating the need for developing policies to combat with it. Besides, the results will also be valuable to monitor the usefulness of the measures taken.