A study on pathogenic aerobic bacteria of surgical site infection and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in patients attending a hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Abstract: Introduction: Identification of bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility testing are vital for the effective treatment of surgical site infection (SSI). Objective: The objective of the study was to study the bacterial pathogens in patients with SSI and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Methods: Pus samples were collected using sterilized swab stick, and then, the samples were cultured in MacConkey and Blood agar and incubated for 24 h in bacterial incubator. The identification was done by using colony morphology, Gram staining technique, and biochemical tests. After identification, the antibiogram of organisms was done using Mueller–Hinton agar. Results: A total of 76 pus samples were collected from different specialties from SSIs. Out of which 53 samples were culture positive. The number of male patients who had SSI was higher than females. Maximum SSIs were observed in the orthopedics department followed by the surgery department and gynecology department. SSIs in surgery and orthopedics department were commonly seen in the age group 41–60 years. In the obstetrics and gynecology department, SSIs were seen mostly in the age group 21–40 years. In the surgery and orthopedics department, Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant organism and Klebsiella spp was the most common Gram-negative isolate. In the gynecology department, S. aureus was the predominant organism followed by Acinetobacter spp . Maximum sensitivity to Vancomycin and Linezolid was seen as the only Gram-positive isolate in all specialties. Gram-negative isolates from the Enterobacteriaceae family of all specialties were sensitive to tigecycline followed by imipenem and meropenem. Nonfermenters were mostly sensitive to polymyxin b/colistin, imipenem, and meropenem. Conclusion: The study gives an insight into aerobic bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic-sensitivity patterns isolated from SSI and there should be surveillance of SSI which helps to reduce the rate of SSI as well as appropriate use of antibiotics.