Susceptibility Profiles of Isolated Bacteria from Pneumonia Patients in Medical ICU

Abstract

Objective: To determine the susceptibility profiles of isolated bacteria from pneumonia patients in medical ICU.

Methodology: This cross-section observational study was conducted in the Medical ICU of Pakistan Ordinance Factories (POF) Hospital, Wah Cantt, Pakistan, between February and July 2023. The study included 100 patients aged ? 18 years, presented with severe symptoms of lower respiratory tract and exhibited bacterial growth. The patients’ samples were collected from sputum, blood, tracheal secretions, bronchoalveolar lavage, and sent to hospital laboratory for sensitivity and culture analysis. Following overnight incubation, the agar plates were examined for bacterial growth and colonial morphology.

Results: Among 100 patients, 48% were female and 52% male. The mean age of the patients was 58.6±14.5 years. 75% of patients were discharged from ICU, while 25% died. Sputum specimens were collected from 60% of patients, blood specimens from 21% of patients, tracheal secretions from 10% of patients, and bronchoalveolar lavage from 9% of patients. 30% tested positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in 20% of patients, while E. coli was found in 7% of patients. Among gram-positive bacteria, 6% of patients tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus, 3% for MRCONS, 2% for MRSA, and 2% for coagulase-negative staphylococcal organisms.

Conclusion: Significant levels of antibiotic resistance observed in isolates of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The presence of increased resistance to multiple antibiotics indicates a high incidence of multidrug-resistant gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.