The Phenomenon of Antimicrobial Resistance in Southern Italy: An Overview of the Current Situation.

Abstract

Purpose: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health challenge with region-specific implications. This study investigated AMR prevalence in Southern Italy, with particular attention to demographic variables such as gender and age.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of antibiograms from 146 patients (68 males and 78 females, aged 36-101 years) collected between 2022 and 2023 was conducted. Given the retrospective design and reliance on routinely collected clinical data from a local hospital microbiology laboratory, molecular analyses were not feasible, as isolates were processed solely for diagnostic purposes and not preserved.

Results: The most frequently isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli (52.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.9%), Enterococcus faecalis (6.9%), Proteus mirabilis (6.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (4.6%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.3%). In males, the highest resistance rates were recorded for ciprofloxacin (47.9%), levofloxacin (47.2%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (40.5%). Female patients showed greater resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanate, levofloxacin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, with women≥70 years displaying particularly elevated resistance compared with age-matched men and younger females.

Conclusion: Despite the absence of molecular data, phenotypic surveillance through antibiograms remains a critical tool for monitoring AMR trends in underrepresented regions. Incorporating gender-specific differences into clinical practice may improve therapeutic efficacy and stewardship strategies. These findings provide a foundation for future molecular and epidemiological investigations.