Antimicrobial resistance profiles of Clostridium species isolated from post-traumatic infections in a Costa Rican hospital

Abstract

This study analyzed antimicrobial resistance in 119 Clostridium species isolates collected at a Costa Rican trauma hospital (2018–2022). Isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF, and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by E-test. C. perfringens, C. tertium, and Paeniclostridium sordellii were most prevalent species. All isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, linezolid, and metronidazole; however, resistance rates of 20 % to vancomycin and 25 % to clindamycin were observed. C. sphenoides showed the highest minimum inhibitory concentration values. Based on these findings, empirical treatment strategies at the hospital now prioritize amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, linezolid, and metronidazole, while reducing reliance on clindamycin due to observed resistance patterns.