Clinical and drug resistance characteristics ofProvidencia stuartiiinfections in 76 patients

Objectives To investigate the clinical and drug resistance characteristics ofProvidencia stuartiiinfections in the Huainan region of Anhui and provide a reference for the clinical selection of antimicrobial agents. Methods This single-center retrospective analysis included 76 patients withP. stuartiiinfection in Huainan during the period from October 2018 to March 2020. The hospital department in which the patients were treated and the drug susceptibility characteristics of theP. stuartiiisolates were recorded. Results Among the 76 patients, the lung was the most common site of infection, and intensive care unit was the main hospital department. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase screening revealed expression by all 76 isolates ofP. stuartii. Of the 76 isolates, 92.1% exhibited multiple drug resistance or extensive drug resistance.P. stuartiiisolates were sensitive to cefepime and imipenem, but not to other beta-lactam antibiotics. Twenty isolates were resistant to all 21 types of antibiotics. Of the 20 patients infected with extensively drug-resistant isolates, nine (45%) died. Conclusions Drug resistance is increasing inP. stuartii. The antimicrobial agent imipenem may be effective for treatment ofP. stuartiiinfections. Fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and fourth-generation cephalosporins are suitable options for antibiotic therapy.