Antimicrobial resistance among pilgrims: a retrospective study from two hospitals in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

SummaryObjectiveTo identify commonly reported community-acquired organisms and antimicrobial resistance patterns exhibited by Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens among pilgrims visiting emergency care departments in Makkah.MethodThe study was designed as a retrospective audit of all patients (pilgrims) admitted to two hospitals and residing in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.ResultsAmong 374 isolates, Gram-negative pathogens accounted for 280 (75%), while the remaining 94 (25%) were Gram-positive organisms. Among all isolated pathogens, the highest resistance was observed for amoxicillin–clavulanic acid. Klebsiella pneumoniae had the highest resistance to amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and ampicillin. Most of the organisms were sensitive to tobramycin except Acinetobacter baumannii (n=3, 50%), Escherichia coli (n=4, 57%), and K. pneumoniae (n=6, 46%).ConclusionOverall, a high resistance was observed for beta-lactam antibiotics. In addition, a high resistance was noted for ceftazidime with A. baumannii species (n=16, 77%). However, for quinolones, the highest resistance to ciprofloxacin was observed for E. coli, A. baumannii, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and K. pneumoniae