Emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in patients with Fournier gangrene - Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the bacteriology and associated patterns of antibiotic resistance Fournier gangrene.

Methods: Patients with Fournier's gangrene from 2008 to 2012 were identified from the computerized database in a medical center in southern Taiwan. The medical records of all patients with Fournier's gangrene were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: There were 61 microorganisms, including 60 bacteria and one Candida spp, isolated from clinical wound specimens from 32 patients. The most common isolates obtained were Streptococcus spp. (n=12), Peptoniphilus spp. (n=8), Staphylococcus aureus (n=7), Escherichia coli (n=7), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=7). Among 21 strains of gram-negative bacilli, five (23.8%) were resistant to fluoroquinolones, and three isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone. Two E. coli strains produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. Four of the seven S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant. Among 15 anaerobic isolates, nine (60%) were resistant to penicillin, and eight (53.3%) were resistant to clindamycin. Four (26.7%) isolates were resistant to metronidazole. The only independent risk factor associated with mortality was inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment (p=0.021).

Conclusion: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are emerging in the clinical setting of Fournier gangrene. Clinicians should use broad-spectrum antibiotics initially to cover possible antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Written by:
Lin WT, Chao CM, Lin HL, Hung MC, Lai CC.   Are you the author?
Department of Trauma, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.

Reference: Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2014 Sep 12. Epub ahead of print.


PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25215467

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