Infectious Diseases 2027

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a formidable global health threat, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs) where critically ill patients are highly vulnerable to multidrug‑resistant organisms. The challenge is further magnified in lower middle‑income countries, where stewardship programs and surveillance systems are often limited.

This multicenter study is conducted to delineate the resistance patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from ICU patients, to assess the prevalence of resistant strains in the Balochistan region of Pakistan, and to quantify antimicrobial consumption using standardized metrics.

A descriptive cross‑sectional study is being undertaken across two tertiary care hospitals in the Quetta city of Balochistan. All ICU patients receiving antimicrobial therapy during their admission from June 2025 to June 2026, were included until discharge, transfer, or death. Clinical specimens—including respiratory secretions, blood, urine, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, catheter tips, and pus—were processed following the American Guidelines. Bacterial isolates were identified using API galleries, and susceptibility testing was performed via Kirby‑Bauer disk diffusion in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints. Antimicrobial consumption was evaluated in adult ICUs (total 24 beds across both centers) during the second quarter of 2026 (April to June), expressed as defined daily doses per 100 occupied bed days (DDD100).

This study provides a comprehensive overview of AMR and antimicrobial utilization in critically ill populations of a resource‑constrained region. The findings are expected to inform infection control strategies and stewardship interventions. Detailed results, including resistance profiles and consumption trends, will be shared in subsequent reports.

Dr. Ayesha Khalid, a Clinical Microbiologist with Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan and Diplomate ship of the Royal College of Pathologists (UK), heads Pathology at Frontier Corps Hospital, Quetta. With over 12+ publications and over a decade of research experience, she co‑led Fleming Fund Country Grant II, advancing stewardship and microbiology diagnostics nationwide.