This study looked at 317 adults with chronic liver disease who had bacterial infections at hospitals in Coimbatore, India. The team examined the types of bacteria causing infections and how often those bacteria were resistant to multiple antibiotics, known as MDR. They also checked how well different drug classes worked against these resistant bacteria.
The results showed that 78.2% of E. coli and 82.6% of K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to multiple drugs. Infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria were more likely to be resistant than those caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Several factors increased the odds of resistance, including older age, male gender, healthcare-associated infections, and prior antibiotic use.
Some antibiotics, like tigecycline and aminoglycosides, still showed activity against Gram-negative bacteria. However, the study did not report safety concerns or side effects. Readers should understand that this is an observational study, meaning it shows links but cannot prove cause and effect. The findings suggest a need for careful antibiotic use and stewardship strategies in this patient group.