High activity of meropenem against Gram-negative bacteria from a paediatric Intensive Care Unit, 2001-2005

The susceptibility of Gram-negative bacterial strains (n = 620) isolated from clinical specimens of children hospitalized in a paediatric Intensive Care Unit between 2001 and 2005 was tested. Meropenem, imipenem and ciprofloxacin were most active (>90% susceptibility) against the tested isolates, with no observed reduction in activity over 5 years. A decrease in prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase and AmpC β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae from 56.3 to 34.1% was found.