Sex differences in Acinetobacter baumannii infections: A comprehensive analysis of antibiotic resistance patterns in Hebei Province, China.

BACKGROUND

To investigate the clinical distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Acinetobacter baumannii in Hebei Province, with a focus on sex-based differences.

METHODS

Surveillance data from 45 hospitals across Hebei Province were retrospectively analyzed from January 2020 to December 2022. Isolates were stratified by patient sex, age group, and specimen type. Data were processed using WHONET 5.6 and GraphPad Prism 8.4.0.

RESULTS

A total of 27,754 A baumannii strains were collected, with 84.0% isolated from respiratory specimens. Male patients accounted for 65.9% of cases, nearly double that of females. Isolates from males showed higher resistance rates to β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and carbapenems, particularly in the 15 to 50-year age group. Sex-related differences in resistance were also influenced by infection site.

CONCLUSIONS

Marked sex differences exist in A baumannii infection and antibiotic resistance patterns in Hebei Province, especially among males of reproductive age. These findings highlight the potential role of sex-specific factors in antimicrobial resistance and may inform targeted prevention and treatment strategies.