Abstract

Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in patients with hematologic malignancies.
Methodology: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Haji Adam Malik General Hospital, Medan, Indonesia, from July 2022 to July 2023. Adult patients with hematologic malignancies and culture-proven bacterial infections were included. MDROs were defined as bacteria resistant to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories. Data were analysed using SPSS version 29 and presented as mean values and percentages.
Results: Thirty-one patients yielded 43 bacterial isolates. The most common pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.6%), Escherichia coli (16.3%), and Staphylococcus aureus (14.0%). High resistance was observed against cefotaxime (97.7%), chloramphenicol (90.7%), and amoxicillin (90.7%). Meropenem and amikacin showed the highest sensitivity. ESBL-producing isolates demonstrated 100% sensitivity to amikacin and 75% to meropenem.
Conclusion: Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant pathogen. Meropenem and amikacin remain effective options and may guide empirical antibiotic therapy.

Key words: Multidrug-resistant organisms, antibiotics, hematologic malignancy, bacterial culture.