Antibiotic resistance is a major global health threat. High prevalences of colonization and infection with multi-drug resistance organisms (MDROs) have been reported in patients undergoing dialysis. It is unknown if this finding extends to patients with mild and moderate/severe kidney disease. An observational study included all adult incident patients hospitalized with a discharge diagnosis of infection in four hospitals from Guangzhou, China.
Inclusion criteria: Serum creatinine measurement at admission together with microbial culture confirmed infections. Exclusion criterion: Undergoing renal replacement therapy. Four categories of Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were compared: eGFR ≥ 105, 60-104 (reference), 30-59, and <30 ml/min/1.73 m2. The odds ratio of MDROs, defined as specific pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp.) resistant to three or more antibiotic classes, were calculated using a multivariable logistic regression model across eGFR strata. Of 94,445 total microbial culture records, 7,288 first positive cultures matched to infection diagnosis were selected. Among them, 5,028 (68.9%) were potential MDROs. The odds of infections by MDROs was 19% and 41% higher in those with eGFR between 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2 (Adjusted odds ratio, AOR): 1.19, 95% CI:1.02-1.38, P = 0.022) and eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 (AOR: 1.41, 95% CI:1.12-1.78, P = 0.004), respectively. Patients with impaired renal function have a higher risk of infections by MDROs. Kidney dysfunction at admission may be an indicator for need of closer attention to microbial culture results requiring subsequent change of antibiotics.