Antibiogram of Pathogens Isolated from Surgical Site Infections at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Rawalpindi

Background: Surgical site infections are the most commonly reported healthcare-associated infections. However, in developing nations, data regarding the antibiogram of pathogens isolated from these infections are scarce. Objective: This study aimed to assess the bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates from surgical site infections in post-operative patients at a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi. Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Settings: Department of Microbiology, Pakistan Railway hospital (PRH), Rawalpindi Pakistan. Duration: January 2021 to December 2021. Methods: All specimens (301) with positive cultures were recruited from surgical wards. Following standard procedures, specimens were cultured; and data were retrieved from the hospital database. Pathogens were identified using laboratory techniques including Gram staining and biochemical tests, and the antibiotic sensitivity patterns were recorded. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to the protocols of the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute CLSI, using the modified disk diffusion method. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: A total of 1128 patient samples were found to be culture positive in study period, out of them 301 (27%) patients samples were with surgical site infections, cultures comprised both gram-positive (33%) and gram-negative organisms (65%), with a small portion (1-2%) of mixed microbial growth. Escherichia coli was the most prevalent gram-negative species 105(34.88%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 63(21%). Appreciable resistance was observed against Penicillin, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, and Carbapenems. Conclusion: Various gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, such as E. coli, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, and Pseudomonas, are commonly found in surgical site infections. No antibiotics were universally effective; however, Penicillin, Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime, and Quinolone resistance was observed.