Meropenem Use and Challenges in Treating Severe Infections in Pakistan Amid Antimicrobial Resistance
Abstract
Meropenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic essential for treating serious infections including urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. This narrative review examines meropenem resistance trends and prescribing practices for severe infections in Pakistan highlighting how inappropriate use drives local antimicrobial resistance. Relevant literature was identified through a structured search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using predefined keywords. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis that complicates treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and E. coli. Pharmacokinetic studies of meropenem show extensive tissue penetration, time-dependent bactericidal activity, and rapid renal clearance, which contribute to its effectiveness. In critically ill patients, specialized dosing strategies like continuous or extended infusions are recommended to maintain adequate drug levels. Emerging evidence also supports combination therapies (e.g., pairing meropenem with fosfomycin) to improve outcomes against carbapenem-resistant strains. In Pakistan, these concerns are especially acute: many key pathogens show high resistance rates due to widespread antibiotic overuse and misuse. Regional surveillance indicates that E. coli often remains relatively sensitive to meropenem, whereas Acinetobacter species exhibit alarmingly low…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Association of lower urinary tract symptoms and OAB severity with quality of life and mental health in China, Taiwan and South Korea: results from a cross-sectional, population-based study
- Ten-Day Quadruple Therapy Comprising Low-Dose Rabeprazole, Bismuth, Amoxicillin, and Tetracycline Is an Effective and Safe First-Line Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Infection in a Population with High Antibiotic Resistance: a Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-Controlled Clinical Trial in China
- The Role of the NLR and PLR in Urinary Tract Infection
- Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance among Pilgrims with Infectious Diseases during Hajj: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19 Pandemic
- Leclercia adecarboxylata urinary tract infection in a patient with bladder cancer and recurrent hematuria
- A Case Series of Staphylococcus lugdunensis Infection in Cancer Patients at an Academic Cancer Institute in the United States
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.