Trends and correlations of infection rates and drug resistance of Escherichia coli among ICU and Non-ICU patients in Guizhou, China

OBJECTIVE: Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common opportunistic pathogen. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics, trends, and correlations E. coli infection rates and drug resistance patterns between intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU patients in Guizhou, China. These findings can provide valuable information for treating E. coli infections and enriching the theoretical framework for controlling bacterial infections and drug resistance. METHODS: Samples were collected from both outpatients and inpatients. Identification of bacterial species, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) testing, and drug susceptibility testing for 17 antibiotics were performed using the VITEK-2 Compact system. Trends were examined using correlation analyses with a two-tailed Pearson's test in SPSS 26.0. RESULTS: E. coli was the most frequently detected pathogen. Infection rates showed a decreasing trend, which positively correlated with declining ESBL-positive rates, comprehensive drug resistance rates (defined as the ratio of total resistant results to total tests across 17 antimicrobial agents), and multidrug resistance (MDR) rates. Furthermore, the trend in ICU detection rates was positively correlated with declines in comprehensive drug resistance and MDR rates. CONCLUSION: Declining infection and ICU detection rates of E. coli were associated with reduced drug resistance rates. Controlling infection and drug resistance rates in E. coli may synergistically improve clinical outcomes.