In our study, it has been aimed to find out the resistance patterns by obtaining antibiotic susceptibility and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positivities of 83 gram negative bacteria isolated from different samples in Tirana Military Hospital/Albania and to compare these results with ours and hence to be able to follow possible future resistance improvements of the isolates in Albania which is having close cooperation with our country.

Susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method based on 2002-NCCLS guideline. Gram negative isolates were Salmonella spp. (n=40) Escherichia coli (n=28) and Klebsiella spp. (n=15). Two of Klebsiella pneumoniae, one of Escherichia coli, and one of Salmonella serogrup B were ESBL positive according to synergy reference method.

The most active antimicrobials were cefotaxime, imipenem, and meropenem (100%), the most resistant antimicrobial was ampicillin (51.9%) in Escherichia coli isolates. In Klebsiella isolates the most active antimicrobials were aztreonam, cefotaxime, imipenem, ceftazidime, cefoxitine, amikacin, ceftizoxime, meropenem, cefuroxime sodium and cefepime (100%), the most resistant antimicrobial was ampicillin (%0.0). The most active antimicrobials were levofloxacin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, cefepime, ceftriaxone, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin (100%), the most susceptible antimicrobial was ampicillin (76.9%) in Salmonella isolates.

In conclusion, ESBL rates were not as high as our results in Albania. However ESBL rates of Klebsiella spp. were high and it is thought to be a problem because of extended resistance patterns in the therapy. Therefore ESBL positivities should be pursuited seriously and if compared with our isolates by using molecular methods, it is proposed that it will be a good guide not only for the future studies but also the measures that should be taken in our country cause of convenient relationship with Albania.

Keywords: ESBL, Klebsiella, E.coli, Salmonella, Resistance