Publication:

Effect of addition of disodium EDTA to ceftriaxone and sulbactam on the susceptibility of gram-negative pathogens

Background Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of resistant pathogens. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a well-known chelating agent. EDTA is also a potentiating and sensitizing agent when combined with antibiotics. Objectives of current study were to examine the antibacterial activity of Ceftriaxone+Sulbactam+ Disodium EDTA against pathogens isolated from urine, blood, and respiratory secretions (sputum, tracheal tube aspirates) and compare it with other antibiotics.

Methods The study was a retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital between January 2019 and December 2019. Gram-negative isolates were obtained from clinical samples of urine, blood and respiratory samples were tested for susceptibility to different antibiotics and also for ESBL and MBL production

Results Respiratory isolates: Against Acinetobacter baumannii, 64% of isolates were sensitive to Ceftriaxone Sulbactam EDTA. Highest resistance rates were observed with Piperacillin tazobactam, amoxicillin clavulanate and Cefoperazone+Sulbactam. All Clinical isolates of Pseudomonas were sensitive to Ceftriaxone Sulbactam EDTA. Blood isolates: 25% isolates of Acinetobacter were sensitive to Ceftriaxone Sulbactam EDTA as compared to just 13% susceptibility for Cefoperazone+Sulbactam Urine isolates: 78% E. coli were sensitive to Ceftriaxone Sulbactam EDTA.

Conclusions The combination of ceftriaxone, sulbactam and disodium edetate was effective even against pathogens isolated from isolates from respiratory secretions, blood and urine resistant to other antibiotics.