Abstract
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are continuing to be a major risk in health care settings. World Health Organization (WHO) describes surgical site infections (SSIs) as one among the major health issue, causing enormous burden to both patients as well as doctors. Multidrug-resistant pathogens that cause SSIs continue to be an ongoing and increasing challenge to health care settings. The objective of the present study was to know the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing gram-negative bacilli causing SSIs at a tertiary healthcare facility. The present cross-sectional observational study was done for a period of one year. Pus samples from clinically suspected cases of SSIs were collected and subjected to bacterial culture and sensitivity testing. From the total of 140 samples collected, a total of 138 bacterial isolates were isolated. Out of 138 isolates, 85 isolates (61.6%) were identified as gram-negative bacilli of which 33 isolates (38.8%) were identified to be ESBL phenotypes. Majority of the ESBL phenotypes were Escherichia coli (25.9%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (7%), Acinetobacter species (2.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.4%) and Proteus species (1.2%). Regular surveillance of antibiotic sensitivity pattern and screening for beta-lactamase production should be done which helps to know the trends of pathogenic bacteria causing SSI and guides in planning antibiotic therapy.
Highlights
Hospital acquired infections (HAI) are the infections occurring after 48 to 72 hours of hospital admission[1]
Majority of the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) phenotypes were Escherichia coli (25.9%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (7%), Acinetobacter species (2.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.4%) and Proteus species (1.2%)
Out of 85 gram-negative bacilli causing surgical site infections (SSIs), 33 isolates (38.8%) were found to be ESBL producers and E. coli was the most common ESBL producer, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 6(7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2(2.4%), Acinetobacter species 2(2.4%) and Proteus species 1(1.2%)
Summary
Hospital acquired infections (HAI) are the infections occurring after 48 to 72 hours of hospital admission[1]. They account to significant part of mortality and morbidity in hospitals, and it is estimated that approximately more than 90,000 deaths have occurred following 1.7 million HAIs during 20192. Surgical site infection (SSI) is an infection that occurs after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place. Surgical site infection was a major cause of death during 19th century with nearly 80% of the patients undergoing surgery were troubled with “hospital gangrene”. In 20th century with the discovery of antibiotics, the surgical field was further reformed and made reconstructive, complicated and lifesaving surgeries possible. Infections due to drug resistant gram-negative bacilli has narrowed the choice of antibiotics for treatment[8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
