Microbial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in paediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital, North East India

Abstract

: Health care associated infections commonly encountered in paediatric intensive care units (PICU) are respiratory tract infections, and bloodstream infections. Monitoring of prevalence rates and antimicrobial susceptibility of different pathogens is necessary for proper management of PICU infections. : This study aimed to determine the microbial profile causing infections in patients admitted to PICU and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.: A cross sectional study was conducted involving all paediatric patients admitted in PICU during a 19 months period. Specimen viz. blood culture, urine, and tracheal aspirate were sent for culture and sensitivity and results were observed and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern was noted. : Out of total 372 patients, 72 (19.35%) were found culture positive. The isolation rate was very high in tracheal aspirates (82.14%) as compared to blood (14.29%) and urine (14.21%). Gram negative bacilli (76.3%) were the most common pathogen group isolated, (30.5%) commonest followed by species (19.4%). species (13.8%) was the most common gram positive isolate followed by Methicillin resistant (MRSA) (6.94%). Higher susceptibility was observed to Tigecycline & Meropenem among gram negative isolates while Linezolid and Vancomycin were most susceptible to gram positive cocci.: Gram negative bacteria were the predominant pathogens mostly species while species were the most common among Gram positive bacteria. Isolates showed multiple drug resistance to commonly used antimicrobials- Cephalosporins and Fluoroquinolones etc.