Analysis of pathogen distribution and drug resistance in elderly patients with a lower respiratory tract infection

Objective To investigate the distribution and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria from elderly patients with a lower respiratory tract infection to provide a basis for the rational use of antibiotics.Methods Clinical isolates were identified with the API system and their drug resistance was tested using the K-B method.Detected ESBL-producing strains were confirmed by the disc diffusion method.Results A total of 826 strains,including Gram-negative bacteria(506 strains,61.26%),fungi(237 strains,28.69%),and Gram-positive bacteria(83 strains,10.05%),were collected.The 5 pathogens with the highest rates of isolation were Candida albicans(153 strains),Acinetobacter baumannii(115 strains),Klebsiella pneumoniae(104 strains),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(99 strains),and Staphylococcus aureus(51 strains).Gram-negative bacteria were relatively sensitive to carbapenems and fluoroquinolones but relatively resistant to cephalosporins.C.albicans was more sensitive to amphotericin B.Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to vancomycin,doxycycline,and chloramphenicol.None of the isolates were resistant to vancomycin.Conclusion Gram-negative bacilli are still the predominant pathogens in elderly patients with a lower respiratory tract infection.Fungal infections have increased markedly.Monitoring drug resistance is clearly crucial.