Purpose: This study, aimed at determining the epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of infectious diseases caused by ESKAPE and non-ESKAPE microorganisms in patients hospitalized at the Nigde Omer Halisdemir University Training and Research Hospital in Nigde, Turkey, is a crucial step in understanding and combating the global public health problem posed by the ESKAPE pathogens. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis was conducted at a primary tertiary care teaching reference hospital in Nigde. The study included patients admitted to the hospital between June 2022 and June 2024. The hospital information system offered clinical and demographic data for the patients. Furthermore, the hospital's microbiology lab acquired information on bacterial isolates and antibiotic resistance. Results: This study included 13378 bacterial isolates, predominantly gram-negative bacteria, particularly those from the Enterobacterales group. Among these isolates, 9798 (73.2%) were identified as ESKAPE pathogens, and 3580 (26.8%) were identified as non-ESKAPE bacteria. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) accounted for the highest proportion of infections (34.47%), followed by the pediatric unit (22.6%). The most common infections were caused by Escherichia coli (4747 isolates, 35.5%), K. pneumoniae (1921 isolates, 19.6 %), and Acinetobacter baumannii (1049 isolates, 10.7 %). Furthermore, the analysis revealed that approximately 50.86% of the ESKAPE isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR). XDR was predominantly detected in Acinetobacter baumannii (72.4%), whereas MDR was predominantly detected in Enterococcus faecium (76.9%). In contrast, Non MDR was predominantly detected across non-ESKAPE pathogens in Staphylococcus hemolyticus (96.1%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (86.5%), and Staphylococcus hominis (84.5%). Demographic data from the study highlighted significant age group disparities in individuals infected by the ESKAPE and the non-ESKAPE bacteria, with a more substantial proportion of older and children individuals represented in the research sample. Conclusions: This study underscores the significant threat posed by multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens in reference hospital settings, emphasizing the urgent need for effective surveillance and control measures. Keywords: Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, The ESKAPE pathogens, Epidemiology, Antimicrobial resistance

The authors have declared no competing interest.

The study received support from the Institute of Science through the BAGEP (Science Academy Young Scientists Award Program) at Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, bearing meeting number FMT 2022/20-BAGEP.

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

Yes

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Ethics Committee for Non-Interventional Clinical Research Nigde Omer Halisdemir University approved this study with decision number (2022/82), dated 10.09.2022.

I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.

Yes

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

Yes

I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.

Yes

All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors