Carbapenem Consumption and Rate of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria: results from the Sicilian Surveillance System

In the last decades, multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria have been increasing and they are involved in severe healthcare associated infections. In treating drug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections, carbapenems are generally administered as a last choice. However, the rate of carbapenem-resistant bacteria is constantly increasing the last years. The aim of the present study is to describe the relationship between the rate of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria and antibiotic consumption intensity.