Publication:

Study of the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bloodstream infections in gynaecological ICU

Background Severe sepsis is one of the leading causes of death even in the developed nation, among critically ill patients admitted in intensive care units (ICU). Decreasing antibiotic susceptibility with increasing length of hospital stay increases the burden on the healthcare system.

Methods A total of 75 samples taken from the patients suspected with bloodstream infection in the gynaecological ICU were processed as per standard protocol. Identification of bacteria was carried out with the help of relevant biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by Kirby-Bauer Disk diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines.

Results Positive blood culture was seen in 21 (28%) samples. Out of these 13 (61.90%) were gram negative bacteria and 8 (38.09%) was gram positive cocci. Escherichia spp., Klebsiella spp. and Acinetobacter spp. were the predominant isolates in gram negative bacteria. Gentamicin, Piperacillin-Tazobactam, Imipenem and Levofloxacin were the most sensitive antibiotics while Cefazolin, Cefuroxime, Cefepime and Ceftazidime were the most resistant antibiotics.

Conclusions Gram negative bacteria are an emerging cause of sepsis in ICU patients while gram positive bacteria still remain prevalent. The purpose of this study is to identify the bacterial cause of septicaemia in general intensive care unit (GICU) patients.