A STUDY OF AEROBIC BACTERIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS WITH THEIR ANTIBIOGRAM IN A TERITARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objective: Surgical site infections [SSI] are regarded as a serious clinical issue and is associated with higher morbidity and death rates. SSIs are defined as infections that develop in the body area where surgery was performed and classified as superficial, deep, and organ-specific. The pathophysiology of SSIs has been linked to both exogenous contamination by medical professionals or contaminated surgical instruments and endogenous contamination by skin flora. The age, obesity, diet, and preoperative hospitalization risk variables were categorized as intrinsic to the SSI. This study undertaken to assess the prevalence of SSI and the microorganisms linked to it and to determine the antibiogram of all isolates Methods: A hospital-based prospective study conducted at Government General Hospital, Kakinada during January 2023 to December 2023. Patient information was documented, including the procedure type, kind of wound infection, wound class [clean, clean-contaminated, and contaminated], and the total number of days spent in the hospital. Pus sample was collected and subjected to Gram stain, culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing done by standard microbiological procedure. Results: A total of 1506 procedures were performed in which 60 cases [3.9%] developed SSI. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated followed by S. aureus, E. faecalis, K. pneumoniae and Proteus spp. Maximum ESBL production [25%] seen in E. coli. S. aureus and E. faecalis were Susceptible to Teicoplanin, Linezolid. Gram negative bacteria were susceptible to Amikacin, Piperacillin–Tazobactam. Conclusion: In the present study, the rate of infection is 3.9%. The common isolate was E. coli and there is an emerging drug resistance. To prevent SSIs i would suggest that frequent surveillance, appropriate pre and postsurgical management, rigorous adherence to hospital infection control protocols, and prevention of bacterial drug resistance are crucial.