Growing prevalence of Providencia stuartii associated with the increased usage of colistin at a tertiary health care center

From 2005 to 2009, at Detroit Medical Center, the prevalence of Providencia stuartii increased from 0.52 to 0.91/1000 patient-days (p < 0.001). The use of colistin also increased (p < 0.001) during the study period. The increase in the prevalence of P. stuartii was associated with an increased use of colistin (p < 0.001). Facilities that frequently use colistin and tigecycline should closely monitor the prevalence of P. stuartii along with other Proteeae, since these organisms are intrinsically resistant to colistin and tigecycline. (c) 2012 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.