Publication:

Bacteriological profile of pyoderma in a tertiary care centre in Kerala, India

Background Pyoderma is a leading cause of childhood infection, which also affects the adults with a changing trend of antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the bacterial agent. A study on the bacteriological profile of pyoderma and its antibiotic sensitivity pattern is beneficial as it is the first study of its kind in this study centre. The main objective of the study was to find the bacteriological profile and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates.

Methods A descriptive study was conducted during a one year period at Government medical college, Kottayam, India. 150 cases were studied. Data was collected to assess the risk factors. Pus collected from the site of infection was cultured, the organisms were identified and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern was found by conventional methods.

Results There were 173 isolates obtained from 150 patients. The predominant isolate obtained was Staphylococcus aureus including 13% of MRSA, followed by Beta hemolytic Streptococci. Other isolates obtained were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Citrobacter amalonaticus.

Conclusion The most common organism causing pyoderma is found to be Staphylococcus aureus which include 13.3% of MRSA. The next common isolate obtained is Beta hemolytic Streptococci. 38 cases showed mixed infections including few gram negative bacilli. So this study emphasizes the need for pus culture and sensitivity which facilitates the appropriate usage of antimicrobial agents which can prevent emergence of antimicrobial resistance.