English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common gram-negative bacterium associated with nosocomial infections. Active observation of changes in antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is necessary for the selection of appropriate antimicrobial agent for empirical therapy. This study was conducted to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from various clinical samples collected from patients admitted in critical and non-critical areas. METHODS Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates obtained from various samples in critical and non-critical areas during one-year period were included in the study. The isolates were identified using standard laboratory procedures, and the susceptibility was checked using the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion assay according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines-2019. RESULTS During one-year period, 224 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were isolated from patients admitted to various units, out of which 143 (63.8 %) were from noncritical areas and 81 (36.1 %) were from critical areas. Highest isolation from noncritical area was observed from pus sample 49 (34.26 %) followed by sputum and urine samples 46 (32.16 %) and 27 (16.78 %) respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from critical areas were mainly from endotracheal aspirates 36 (44.4 %) and all were multidrug resistant (MDR) (36.3 %). CONCLUSIONS The present study helps in understanding the emergence of MDR strains in intensive care units (ICUs). Thus, regular surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility pattern is important for reducing the healthcare associated infection (HAI) rates and antimicrobial resistance. KEYWORDS Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Critical and Non-Critical Areas