Antibacterial Resistance in Acute Upper Respiratory Infections in a Hospital in Riobamba, Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory diseases occupy the first places of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, according to the World Health Organization 2019. Due to the incidence of diseases, the prescription and self-medication of antibiotics is favored. It has been considered that the inappropriate use of antibiotics generates the appearance of resistant strains, a phenomenon that has become very evident in the hospital setting, despite the existence of guidelines, protocols for the management of pathologies. Bacterial resistance and the indiscriminate use of antibiotics for the treatment of common infections have been little investigated in Ecuador.

Objective: To evaluate antibiotic resistance in patients with acute upper respiratory infections through the results of microbiological cultures.

Methods: The research is observational, cross-sectional. In order to establish the sample size, the inclusion criterion was that the results of cultures and antibiograms of pharyngeal secretion indicate a diagnosis of acute upper respiratory infections. The exclusion criterion consisted of discarding culture results that did not show the development of microorganisms. By means of retrospective analysis, the results of antibiograms were reviewed, the microorganisms that developed were identified, and the results of the antibiograms were analyzed to determine sensitivity or resistance to antibiotics. Data analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Prevalent microorganisms were identified in acute upper respiratory infections: Staphylococcus epidermidis 31.43 %, Streptococcus viridans 28.16 %, Staphylococcus aureus 24.08 %, Moraxella catarrhalis with 11.02 %. The isolated microorganisms presented bacterial resistance to: Sulfamethoxazole/Trimetropime with 42.82 % and Norfloxacin and Ciprofloxacin with 28.18 %, Cefuroxime with 13.64 %.

Conclusions: The pathogenic microorganisms found in acute upper respiratory infections present greater resistance to the family of sulfonamides, macrolides, penicillins and quinolones.