Microbiological profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in sputum cultures-A retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory tract infections (RTI) are one of the most common cause of infections and are responsible for loss of working hours in affected individuals. Many newer antibiotics have been introduced to treat these infections whose sensitivity pattern is still not clearly understood due to paucity of published data in this regard.Several studies have been published in different parts of the world but still there are limited data from Indian subcontinent. The present retrospective study was carried out in microbiology department of our diagnostic centre with the aim of analyzing the various causative bacteria of CAP and to study their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study of sputum cultures was carried out between July to September 2017 in the microbiology department of our diagnostic centre. A total of 100 sputum samples collected from patients of all ages and both sexes were included in the study. Sputum samples were collected in wide mouth, sterile containers by standard protocols. Gram’s staining and Zheil Neelsen staining for acid fast bacilli was done after inoculating the specimen on Blood and MacConkey Agar plates. Results: There were 68 males and 32 females with a male to female ratio of 2.1:1. Maximum 23% patients were in 61-70 years age group followed by 15% each in 41-50 and 51-60 years age group. 3% patients were above 80 years of age. Normal bacterial flora was grown in 71% cases. Growth of pathogenic bacteria was observed in 29% cases. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most commonly isolated micro-organism accounting for 13% cases. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 6% cases followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 3% and 2% each of Enterococcus, E.coli and Candida species. Conclusion: The role of sputum culture has for long been debatable and is limited by the fact that it is difficult to obtain a deep cough specimen in paediatric and geriatric patients .However, epidemiological value of sputum