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Abstract
We report on antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance data for six key bloodstream pathogens (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus) identified in public sector hospitals in South Africa during 2010. Major findings include the accelerated emergence of carbapenem resistance among K. pneumoniae and Enterobacter species, with overall susceptibility rates of 98% and 96% for ertapenem, and above 99% for meropenem and imipenem. Levels of resistance among P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii remain high in all centres, with few changes since 2009. Large decreases in piperacillin-tazobactam susceptibility rates were noted at three institutions, probably related to methodological issues. S. aureus remains a major pathogen countrywide, with between 30-60% of isolates resistant to cloxacillin [methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)]. Ongoing surveillance for antimicrobial resistance is vital, and the use of a centralised data extraction system may aid in this.