Publication:

Clinical bacterial isolates and antibiotic susceptibility patterns in surgical site infections among gyneoncology patients at a government cancer hospital

Background Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant cause of morbidity in gyne-oncology patients due to immunosuppression, complex surgeries, and cancer-related treatments. These infections are often polymicrobial, involving both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms with biofilm formation contributing to treatment resistance. SSIs prolong hospitalization, delay cancer therapy, and increase healthcare costs. Understanding the bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of SSIs in gyne-oncology patients is essential to guide effective antimicrobial therapy and improve surgical and oncologic outcomes.

Methods The study was carried out in the department of microbiology, Government Cancer Hospital during the period from January 2025 to December 2025. A total 100 samples from surgical sites from gyne-oncology were collected and processed for culture, identification as per standard recommended procedures and antibiotic susceptibility testing were carried out on isolates as per clinical laboratory standard institute (CLSI) guidelines.

Results A total of 100 specimens were cultured, of which 53 showed bacterial growth. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus species were the most commonly isolated organisms. A high level of resistance to multiple antibiotics was observed among both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Conclusions The present study highlighted the microbiological pattern of isolates in gyne-oncology patients. There is a clear need for ongoing monitoring of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), along with the development of appropriate antimicrobial treatment strategies and the strengthening of antibiotic stewardship initiatives.