Antibiogram of pathogenic bacterial isolates from various samples in Prince Sultan Hospital, Western Region, Saudi Arabia. Retrospective study from 2020 to 2024

Abstract

Background Antibiograms support empirical therapy by providing local antimicrobial susceptibility data, guiding clinical decisions, and stewardship efforts. Rising multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria highlight the importance of continuous antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance to inform local treatment guidelines. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess AMR rates in clinical pathogenic isolates obtained from community-acquired infections at a general hospital in Western Saudi Arabia. Methods Antibiogram data were analyzed retrospectively from January 2020 to September 2024, focusing on pathogenic bacteria and AMR isolates. Results and conclusion This study shows high rates of ESBL-producing E. coli and the rapid emergence of resistance to last-resort antibiotics, indicating therapeutic exhaustion despite stable resistance to older drug classes. These trends, likely driven by antibiotic overuse during COVID-19, highlight shrinking treatment options and the urgent need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship and reassess empirical therapies.