Epidemiology of ESKAPEE Complex at Veracruz Children’s Hospital during 2023

Abstract Introduction The ESKAPEE complex comprises bacterial species known for their propensity to develop multiple mechanisms of resistance against antibiotics. The elevated rates of mortality and morbidity associated with these microorganisms, along with the challenges posed by their treatment, have transformed them into a significant concern in global public health. However, in Mexico, the prevalence of the ESKAPEE complex in pediatric patients within tertiary care hospitals remains understudied compared to adults. Materials and methods A cross-sectional, retrospective, and descriptive study was conducted, encompassing 179 bacteria belonging to the ESKAPEE complex. These bacteria were isolated from pediatric patients between January and December 2023 at Veracruz Children’s Hospital. Laboratory samples were processed using the VITEK 2.0 system, and descriptive statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v22 software. Results A total of 179 antibiograms were analyzed, with 55.1% corresponding to male patients. The most prevalent age group among pediatric patients was school children (5 to 11 years old), comprising 20.2% of the sample. Blood culture was the most frequently sampled site, representing 35.4% of cases. Klebsiella pneumoniae emerged as the most common bacterium, accounting for 22.5% of isolates. The Pediatric Emergency Department was the primary area from which samples were obtained, constituting 18.5% of the total. Conclusions Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated bacteria inside de hospital in 2023, especially among school-aged patients, followed by E. coli, which coincides with reports in the literature from various countries around the world. Key messages • Establishing a national surveillance network within public health institutions is imperative, where ESKAPEE complex microorganisms are reported. • Knowing the epidemiological profile of the ESKAPEE complex will favor the diagnosis and intentional search for infections with greater etiological certainty.