DGKH 2025 – Antibiotic Resistance and Nosocomial Infections in Greece
The program for this year’s DGKH Congress (May 16–17, 2025, Essen) is now available:
https://abstract.krankenhaushygiene.de/index_48_program.html
eCDC Report: Alarming Situation of Antibiotic Resistance in Greece
From April 15–19, 2024, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (eCDC) visited Greece to reassess the critical situation regarding antibiotic resistance. The findings are alarming:
“The high number of patients infected or colonized with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), who require the application of enhanced infection prevention and control (IPC) measures overwhelms healthcare staff, which results in further transmission of these MDROs. This situation represents a serious threat to patient safety.”1
Concerning Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Data Across Europe
According to 2023 eCDC data, high resistance rates among the following pathogens are particularly concerning across Europe:
- Klebsiella pneumoniae, resistent gegen Cephalosporine der 3. Generation und Carbapeneme
- Acinetobacter spp., carbapenem-resistant
These resistances highlight the spread of resistant clones within healthcare facilities and the limited treatment options available for patients 2
Rising Incidence Between 2019 and 2023
A comparison of eCDC data from 2019 to 2023 reveals a significant increase in the incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms (EU/EEA):
- Enterobacter faecium +25,9%
- Acinetobacter spp. +21,1%
- Klebsiella pneumoniae +18%
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa +11,7%
- Enterobacter faecalis +11%2
Greece’s severe AMR profile
Greece is among the countries with the highest resistance rates (incidence in invasive isolates ≥50%):
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant
- Klebsiella pneumoniae, resistant to 3rd generation cephalosporins
- Acinetobacter spp., carbapenem-resistant
- Enterococcus faecium, vancomycin-resistant
This alarming situation is reflected in Greece’s "dark red" AMR profile, as exemplified by carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.2
Invitation to Discuss at DGKH Congress 2025
On May 16, 2025, during the EUNETIPS session (09:00 – 11:00 AM, Room D), I will present on the healthcare situation in Greece based on the eCDC report and discuss approaches for improvement. I look forward to meeting you in Essen for a solution-oriented exchange of ideas.
References
1 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. ECDC country visit to Greece to discuss antimicrobial resistance issues, 15–19 April 2024. Stockholm: ECDC; 2024.
2 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and WHO Regional Office for Europe. Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Europe, 2023 data: executive summary. Stockholm: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; 2024.
3 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Antimicrobial resistance in the EU/EEA (EARS-Net) – Annual Epidemiological Report 2023. Stockholm: ECDC; 2024.
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