Multivariate regression reveals linear correlation between ICU Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance and antibiotic use

Authors

  • Fangyuan Xia Department of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3078-1680
  • Yu Pan Department of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
  • Sucai Chen Department of Laboratory, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
  • Zhen Tao Intensive Care Unit, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
  • Xiaohao Pan Department of Laboratory, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.21704

Keywords:

intensive care unit, Klebsiella pneumoniae, multiple linear regression analysis, linear correlation

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated the macro-quantitative correlation between Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance rates and concurrent antimicrobial use in the intensive care unit (ICU), to guide treatment for chronic refractory infections caused by this pathogen, by optimizing outcomes for critically ill patients while curbing bacterial resistance spread or transmission.

Methodology: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the resistance rate of K. pneumoniae and the concurrent use of antimicrobial agents in the ICU. A multiple linear regression model was employed to analyze whether there was an independent linear correlation between the two, and to identify the relevant factors.

Results: 936 K. pneumoniae isolates were identified in the ICU between 2020 and 2024, representing 20.45% (936/4,577) of all bacterial isolates recovered from the ICU. The resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents, except for tigecycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, exceeded 65%, indicating a severe resistance situation. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the resistance rates of K. pneumoniae to imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, and ceftazidime were independently linear correlated only with piperacillin-tazobactam defined daily doses (DDDs), with regression coefficients (β) of 0.221, 0.224, and 0.166, respectively. The resistance rates to ceftriaxone, cefoperazone-sulbactam, and ertapenem were positively correlated with piperacillin-tazobactam DDDs. Resistance to cefepime was positively correlated with ceftazidime DDDs. Resistance to tigecycline was positively correlated with meropenem DDDs. Resistance to levofloxacin was negatively correlated with cefoperazone-sulbactam DDDs.

Conclusions: The resistance rate of K. pneumoniae in the ICU is closely related to antimicrobial use. Hospitals should strengthen the regulation of antimicrobial use to delay the emergence of drug-resistant species.

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Published

2025-12-31

How to Cite

1.
Xia F, Pan Y, Chen S, Tao Z, Pan X (2025) Multivariate regression reveals linear correlation between ICU Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance and antibiotic use. J Infect Dev Ctries 19:1756–1764. doi: 10.3855/jidc.21704

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Section

Original Articles