Trends in antimicrobial resistance among Enterobacter isolates in an Australian local health district

This study analysing over 3,200 Enterobacter isolates from hospital and community settings in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region (Australia, 2007–2018) found that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was significantly higher in hospitals (14.9%) than in the community (8.9%). Encouragingly, resistance trends declined over time for most antibiotics, with the most pronounced reductions observed in the hospital setting, while resistance to amikacin and meropenem remained consistently low. These findings suggest that hospital-based infection control and antimicrobial stewardship programs are effective in reducing AMR, although the persistently higher resistance levels in hospitals underscore the continued need for targeted interventions in these high-risk environments.