Prevalence of postpartum endometritis and antimicrobial resistance of responsible pathogens in Ukraine: results a multicenter study (2015-2017)

Abstract

The aim: To obtain the prevalence of postpartum endometritis women and antimicrobial resistance of responsible pathogens in Ukraine. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort study. The study population consisted of all women who had a vaginal delivery or cesarean section in 14 Regional Women’s Hospitals of Ukraine. Results: Total 2460 of 25,344 patients were found to have postpartum endometritis, for an overall infection rate of 9.7%. The postpartum endometritis rates were 7.6% after vaginal delivery and 16.4% after cesarean section. Incidence of postpartum endometritis after cesarean section is affected mainly by the mode of delivery (scheduled caesarean deliveries (done before labor starts) – 13.8% and unscheduled caesarean deliveries (done after labor starts) – 22.5%. The predominant pathogens were: Escherichia coli (32.7%), Enterococcus faecalis (13.0%), Streptococcus spp. (12.1%), Klebsiella spp. (10.4%) and Enterobacter spp. (10%). Among the antimicrobial agents tested, the ertapenem, piperacillin/ tazobactam, and cefotaxim were the most consistently active in vitro against Enterobacteriaceae in both vaginal deliveries and after cesarean section infections. The overall proportion of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production among Enterobacteriaceae was 22.8% and of methicillin-resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 15.4%. Conclusions: Postpartum endometritis and antimicrobial resistance of responsible pathogens presents a significant burden to the hospital system. Postpartum infections surveillance is required in all women’s hospitals. This knowledge is essential to develop targeted strategies to reduce the incidence of postpartum infections.