Bacteriological Profile and Antibiogram of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Aims The present study was conducted to determine the bacterial aetiology and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of lower respiratory tract infections so as to update the clinicians in various antimicrobial alternatives available in the treatment. Methods 177 sputum samples from patients with lower respiratory tract infections were collected in time span of 3months. Bacterial pathogens were isolated from sputum specimens and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using standard bacteriologic techniques. Results Out of 177 cases only 46 (26) had an established aetiology. Males 102 (57.6) were more commonly affected than Females 75(42.4) .The most prevalent bacterial pathogen was Klebsiella pneumoniae 37 (80.4) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 6( 13) and Acinetobacter spp. 3(6.6).Klebsiella pneumoniae was most sensitive to Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamycin and resistant to Doxycycline. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was sensitive to Meropenem, Tobramycin and Ceftazidime. Acinetobacter spp. showed maximum sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin and Ceftriaxone and resistant to Cotrimoxazole and Doxycycline.Conclusion For the effective management of lower respiratory tract infections bacteriological diagnosis and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern is indispensable.