BACKGROUND

Antibiograms monitor antibiotic resistance trends and help guide empiric antibiotic treatment. A statewide pediatric antibiogram can help inform stewardship efforts.

METHODS

Annual pediatric antibiograms for the five children's hospitals in Georgia from 2014-2023 were collected. All sites used the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines for antibiogram development. Antibiogram data were combined, and the most common bacteria were included: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae complex and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Interhospital differences were compared for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), E. coli and K. pneumoniae. The combined data from 2014 and 2023 were compared to demonstrate antibiotic susceptibility changes over time.

RESULTS

Data in 2023 for MSSA and MRSA showed clindamycin susceptibility was 78% and 82%, respectively. S. pneumoniae susceptibility to amoxicillin/clavulanate was 96%. E. faecalis resistance to ampicillin and vancomycin was rare. For all included gram-negative bacteria, susceptibility remained high to 3 generation cephalosporins (90%-92%) and meropenem (95%-99%). From 2014 to 2023, the rate of MRSA decreased from 49% to 33.5%. S. pneumoniae susceptibility to amoxicillin/clavulanate and clindamycin significantly increased. For E. coli, there was a significant decrease in susceptibility for cefazolin (90% to 84%), ceftriaxone (95% to 92%), and meropenem (100% to 99%). There were nonsignificant decreases in susceptibility for K. pneumoniae.

CONCLUSION

Over the past 10 years, MRSA rates decreased, S. pneumoniae antibiotic susceptibility increased, and gram-negative bacilli susceptibility was stable to slightly decreased. Georgia antibiogram data support the recommended antibiotic treatment for common pediatric infections.