Aerobic Bacteriological Profile and Antimicrobial Sensitivity Pattern of Bacteria Isolated from Sterile Body Fluids: A Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India

Aims: This study aims to isolate and identify the aerobic bacterial pathogens of sterile body fluids and to determine their susceptibility to various antibacterial agents.

Study Design: This study was a retrospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, SMHS hospital, Srinagar. A total of 814 samples were analysed for bacteriological culture and antibiotic sensitivity over a period of one year, from April 2018 to March 2019.

Methodology: Clinical specimens (pleural fluid, ascitic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, Synovial fluid, pericardial fluid and bile) were processed for bacterial culture according to standard procedures and antimicrobial susceptibility test for isolated organisms was done using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and interpreted as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations.

Results: In 814 samples of various body fluids, 88 samples showed growth of organism with an isolation rate of 10.81%. growth was most commonly seen in CSF (34.09%) followed by Ascitic fluid (23.86%, Bile (20.45), Pleural fluid (15.90%) and Synovial fluid (5.68%). No growth was obtained from pericardial fluid. The most predominant isolates were E. coli (23.86%), Pseudomonas sp (15.90%), Acinetobacter (14.77%), Klebsiella sp (7.95%), Staphylococcus aureus (11.36%), CONS (12.5%) and Enterococcus sp (4.54%). E. coli and Klebsiella were sensitive to imipenem, meropenem. colistin, amikacin and gentamicin. Staph. aureus and CONS were mostly sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, and teicoplanin. Pseudomonas was sensitive to imipenem, meropenem, colistin and piperacillin/tazobactam. Acinetobacter, E. coli and Klebsiella sp were the most resistant organisms.

Conclusion: In our study significant numbers of multidrug resistant bacteria were isolated from body fluids which calls for regular monitoring of prevalent pathogenic organisms and their sensitivities to avoid indiscriminate use of unnecessary antibiotics and the development of antibiotic resistance.