PREVALENCE AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF GRAM NEGATIVE BACTERIA ISOLATES IN CATHETER ASSOCIATED URINARY TRACT INFECTION IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a leading healthcare-associated infection, often linked to urinary catheter use, with a daily 3%-7% increased risk of catheter-associated UTIs (CAUTIs). CAUTIs cause significant complications; prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality, with 13,000 deaths annually. This study examines the bacteriological profile and antimicrobial resistance patterns of CAUTIs in a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study done at a tertiary hospital included 200 catheterized patients over six month. Urine samples were collected aseptically following CDC guidelines, excluding patients with prior UTIs, suprapubic catheters, or pre-admission catheterization. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Suspected CAUTI samples were cultured, with significant growth defined as ≥10⁵ CFU/ml. Isolates were identified, and antimicrobial susceptibility tested using CLSI-guided Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion. Results: Among 200 catheterized patients, 25 (12.5%) developed CAUTI, with females (68%) affected more than males (32%). The highest infection rate occurred in the 41–60 years age group (39.5%), followed by 21–40 years (33%). A total of 25 gram-negative bacteria were isolated, predominantly Escherichia coli (48%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (36%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16%). Conclusion: The study highlights that catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are more prevalent in females and middle-aged individuals, with Escherichia coli being the most common causative organism. The findings emphasize the importance of monitoring antimicrobial susceptibility to guide effective treatment strategies and reduce the burden of CAUTIs in hospitalized patients.