Aerobic Bacterial Profile and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Pus Isolates in a South Indian Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Different Studies showing consistent predictable bacterial profile in wound infections, antibiotic resistance and capacity to adapt to changing environment which render the pathogens a matter of concern as a hospital acquired infections. Hence periodical monitoring of bacterial profile and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern is important. Objective: To determine the commonly encountered pathogens in pus samples along with their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted from August, 2013 to January, 2014, in GSL Medical college central lab. Pus samples received for diagnostic microbiology was processed and identification by standard protocols. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Result: Out of 114 pus samples received for culture and sensitivity in the microbiology central laboratory, 102 (89.47%) cases yielded positive culture while 12 (10.53% ) cases had no aerobic growth . Among the 102 culture positive pus samples, 97 yielded pure bacterial isolates and 5 yielded mixed infection ; so a total number of 107 organisms were isolated out of 102 pus samples . Among the 102 culture positive cases 60 ( 58.82% ) were male and 42 ( 41.18%) were females yielding a male : female ratio of 1.43. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolates followed by pseudomonas aeruginosa , E. coli , K. pneumoniae , Strept. Pyogenes , S. epidermidis and proteus . Among the Gram positive isolates , vancomycin , levofloxacin and clindamycin were the most susceptible drugs whereas among the Gram negative isolates , the most susceptible drugs were piperacillin / tazobactum , levofloxacin , imipenem and amikacin . Conclution: Changing antimicrobial resistance pose challenge in treating pyogenic infections . Appropriate and judicious selection of antibiotic would limit the emerging drug resistant strains in the future to treat these clinical conditions successfully.