Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Among Common Clinical Bacterial Isolates From Kalar City, Iraq

The rapid and precise detection of pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility profile is needed for infection control. This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence of multidrug‐resistant bacteria from clinical specimens at Zanko Central Laboratory, Kalar City, from October 7, 2024 to January 15, 2026, using the VITEK 2 compact system. A total of 1370 specimens were collected, of which 598 were positive for growth of clinically significant bacteria. The most frequently isolated gram‐negative bacteria were Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and the common gram‐positive isolates were Staphylococcus haemolyticus , Enterococcus faecalis , Streptococcus agalactiae , Staphylococcus aureus , and Staphylococcus saprophyticus . VITEK 2 system antimicrobial susceptibility testing already identified high resistance rates against cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones, as well as some gram‐negative bacteria possessing extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemase‐producing isolates. P. aeruginosa exhibited multidrug resistance to the majority of antibiotics. Among gram‐positive isolates, E. faecalis and S. haemolyticus were particularly resistant to cefoxitin, vancomycin, and erythromycin. These results highlight the rapid increase in the number of multidrug‐resistant bacteria and the immediate requirement for antimicrobial management programs, strict infection control practices, and routine monitoring. The VITEK 2 system was helpful in rapid and precise bacterial identification and quick susceptibility testing, which contributed to appropriate clinical action at the right time. ESBL production in E. coli and K. pneumoniae is not a reliable indicator for determining which isolates are most resistant. However, colistin resistance in P. aeruginosa indicates resistance to a broad range of antibiotics.