Antimicrobial resistance crisis in Latin American ICUs

Healthcare-associated infections represented a growing challenge in hospitals, especially in intensive care units, where patients were more vulnerable. In this context, multi-resistant microorganisms made treatment difficult and increased health risks. In Latin America, antimicrobial resistance reached alarming levels due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, lack of control and surveillance, and limited health infrastructure. Pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae KPC, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ESBL-producing enterobacteria and MRSA were frequently identified in ICUs. This situation increased mortality, length of hospitalisation and the use of high-cost antibiotics. The response to this crisis required programmes for antimicrobial optimisation, infection control and strengthening of epidemiological surveillance.