FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE OF PATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN SEPSIS PATIENTS AT THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF TRA VINH GENERAL HOSPITAL
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Abstract
Background: Sepsis is a common ICU emergency with high mortality risk. Positive blood cultures and antibiotic resistance directly impact treatment outcomes. Identifying related factors supports early risk recognition and appropriate antibiotic selection.
Objectives: Investigation of factors associated with the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria in sepsis patients at the Intensive Care Unit of Tra Vinh General Hospital.
Methods: This retrospective cross – sectional study included 129 patients diagnosed with sepsis between May 2024 and May 2025 at Tra Vinh General Hospital.
Results: Results of the study showed that the rate of positive blood culture with antibiotic resistance (ABR) was significantly associated with gender (higher in females than males, PR = 1.66; p = 0.030), length of hospital stay and duration of treatment in the ICU (hospitalization > 6 days and ICU stay > 6 days increased the risk of positive blood culture with ABR more than fivefold; p < 0.05), as well as prolonged antibiotic treatment (7–30 days, PR = 4.27; p < 0.05). In addition, patients with an unidentified infection source had twice the risk of positive blood culture with ABR compared to those with a gastrointestinal–hepatobiliary source (PR = 2.03; p = 0.023). No statistically significant association was found between positive blood culture with ABR and age, occupation, residence area, prior antibiotic use, comorbidities, other infection sources, or treatment outcomes (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The rate of positive blood cultures and antibiotic resistance tended to be higher in patients over 60 years old (40.21%), reflecting the burden of sepsis in the intensive care unit. Therefore, blood cultures and antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be reinforced before initiating broad-spectrum antibiotics, particularly in patients suspected of sepsis, to improve treatment efficacy and reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. In addition, the regular development and updating of bacterial antibiograms can support appropriate initial antibiotic selection. Simultaneously, strict infection control measures and adherence to aseptic techniques in invasive procedures such as catheterization, endotracheal intubation, and urinary catheter placement should be strengthened.
Keywords
Sepsis, blood culture positivity, antibiotic resistance, associated factors
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References
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