Objective: In order to manage the antimicrobial treatment of patients with cholangitis/cholecystitis properly, it is very important to predict the potential causative pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns. The aim of this study is to provide data for empirical treatment approaches by identifying the causative agents of biliary tract infections and their antimicrobial susceptibilities, and the risk factors in patients infected with drug-resistant microorganism.

Methods: Hospitalized patients with cholangitis/cholecystitis developed primarily or secondary to a biliary tract intervention, and whose bile samples for culture could be obtained, were included in the study during a 9-month period. Bile cultures were incubated in an aerobic environment, and antimicrobial susceptibilities were tested by disk diffusion method. Isolated strains that were resistant to at least two major antimicrobial groups were regarded as “drug-resistant”. Risk factors for development of infection with a drug-resistant pathogen were evaluated by univariate analysis.

Results: A total of 76 bacteria were isolated from 58 bile samples obtained from patients with biliary tract infections. While 30 (39.5%) bacteria were in the drug-resistant group, patients infected with these agents were found to be 26 (44.8%). All drug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli were producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases, and carbapenem resistance was seen among Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains only. Antimicrobial usage during last 3 months before diagnosis (p=0.01) and duration of hospital stay before the infective episode (p=0.03) were found to be risk factors for cholangitis due to drug-resistant agents.

Conclusions: In order to guide the empirical treatment of patients with cholangitis/cholecystitis properly, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of causative agents should be monitored closely and drug-resistant pathogens should be considered in patients with a history of antimicrobial usage during the last 3 months or who have been hospitalized for a long time before the infective episode. Klimik Dergisi 2019; 32(3): 329-34.

Cite this article as: Başaran S, Özsüt H, Çağatay A, Eraksoy H. [Biliary tract infections: Causative agents and analysis of risk factors for infections with drug-resistant bacteria]. Klimik Derg. 2019; 32(3): 329-34. Turkish.