Kirti Nirmal

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been impacting the life and economy across the globe since December 2019 and has caused major disruptions worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic had resurfaced in India in the form of a hard-hitting second wave around April 2021Blood stream infections (BSI) are one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in tertiary care hospitals amongst COVID-19 patients. Aim: This study was conducted to assess the bloodstream infections and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of in a COVID-19 dedicated tertiary care centre. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study was carried out from April 2021 to September 2021 in a bacteriology laboratory, department of Microbiology, at a dedicated COVID-19 tertiary care centre. Blood Cultures of all COVID-19 confirmed cases were sought for and Bacterial Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility were performed as per the standard guidelines. Results: A total of4200 blood culture samples from COVID-19 positive patients were received during April 2021- September 2021 for analyses of microorganisms and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of blood stream infection. 16.9% samples were grew significant bacteria. Gram-positive isolates outnumbered than Gram-negative organisms (1.36:1). Amongst Gram-negative microorganisms, most commonly isolated bacteria were . (11.8%) and amongst gram-positive organisms, (n=348; 48.9%) was most commonly isolated. Conclusion: The blood culture positivity along with their antimicrobial susceptibility is the need of the hour in order to aid hospitals to formulate and implement antimicrobial stewardship guidelines   Keywords: Bloodstream infection, Antibiogram profile, COVID-19 Pandemic

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Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is one of the indicators of health status of a nation and neonatal sepsis is one of the commonest causes of NMR contributing to 19% of all neonatal deaths in India. All over India, there is a gradually increasing trend of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and special newborn care units (SNCUs) in tertiary care hospitals. To determine the changing trend in the bacteriological profile of neonatal septicemia and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern (AST). Materials and and Methods: It is a retrospective study conducted on total 452 blood culture samples collected from SNCU over 1-year period from July 2017 to June 2018 in tertiary care government hospital. Organisms were identified by the standard protocol and their antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined as per latest CLSI guidelines. Results: Out of 452 blood culture of neonatal septicemia patients, 138 cases (30.53%) were culture positive Most common isolated gram negative organism was Klebsiella spp. 55/138 (39.85%) followed by Citrobacter spp. 23/138 (16.66%). Most common isolated gram positive organism was Staphylococcus aureus 25/138 (18.11%) followed by Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CONS) (8.69%). Among gram negative isolates most sensitive antimicrobial was Imipenem (87.6%) followed by Levofloxacin (87.4%) and Piperacillin + Tazobactam (46%) and resistant to, Cotrimoxazole, Amoxicillin + clavulanate and 3rd generation Cephalosporins. Conclusion: Klebsiella spp. is the predominant organism of neonatal sepsis in the Indian subcontinent, although significant rise in proportion of Citrobacter spp. is occurring. High resistance to cephalosporins is a cause of concern, as they are one of the most common prescribed antibiotic groups.   Keywords: Neonatal septicemia, Citrobacter emerging, Bacteriological profile

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