Epidemiology of Multi-Resistant Gram Negative Bacteria in Central Morocco

Introduction: Antibiotic resistance is a major global public health problem, constituting one of the most serious threats to global health. A bacteria is said to be multi-resistant when it is resistant to at least one antibiotic molecule belonging to more than three different classes normally active against these bacteria. These infections are responsible for an increase in therapeutic impasse situations, hospital costs and the number of deaths. Material and Method: This is a retrospective and descriptive study covering the results of antibiograms carried out in the bacteriology laboratory of the Moulay Ismail military hospital in Meknes spread over a period of 12 months (from June 2022 to May 2023). Results and Discussion: During this study period, 1217 bacterial strains were identified, 338 of which were multi-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MR BGN), representing a prevalence of 28%. The main MR BGN isolated were extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) at 43% Imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (IRAB) 16.1% and Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) 15.9% (with a predominance of the species K.pneumoniae at 44.4%). Conclusion: The rationalization of the prescription of antibiotics and the rigorous application of hygiene and prevention rules will make it possible to limit the emergence of these multi- and highly resistant bacteria in our healthcare structures, a better knowledge of bacterial ecology and levels of resistance to different antibiotics will allow better care adapted to each hospital environment.