Antibiotic resistance of pathogens causing hospital–acquired infections after surgical interventions in the hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics

Background. The global community is facing a significant and concerning rise in antibiotic–resistant infections. In Lithuania, drug resistant pathogens are ranked as the fifth leading cause of death, underscoring the critical nature of this issue. This is particularly relevant in the field of orthopaedics and traumatology, where the presence of foreign bodies amplifies the risk of infection, necessitating strict interventions to combat antibiotic resistance. Aim. The purpose of this study was to evaluate antibiotic resistance and infection risk factors in postoperative infections in the department of orthopedics and traumatology of Kaunas Clinics. Methods. The data of 104 patients from 2017 to 2021 were selected as the research object. All data were obtained from hospital information database. Results. This study, involving 104 patients, revealed a male predominance (66.3 %) with an average age of 53.43 ± 2.029, statistically differing from females. Stratification into age groups showed middle–aged individuals (62.5%) more prone to infections. S. aureus was the primary pathogen (48.1 %). While penicillin G resistance for this pathogen was 66 %, sensitivity to gentamicin, rifampicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and vancomycin was 100 %. Significant age and gender differences were found in S. aureus infections. Lower extremity surgeries were more common (76 %) with S. aureus. Gender–dependent ciprofloxacin resistance distribution was observed. Sensitive causative agents were more frequently found in males. Conclusions. S. Aureus was the dominant gram–positive pathogen in this study. Its drug resistance pattern showed that antibiotic resistance is a serious concern.