BACTERIAL PROFILE, ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERNS, AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA AMONG ADULT PATIENTS IN SOUTH INDIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the bacterial profile, antibiotic sensitivity patterns, and prevalence of multidrug resistance in community-acquired pneumonia patients at a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore, India. Methods: Bacterial isolates were identified using standard microbiological techniques and their antibiotic sensitivity was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: A total of 215 sputum samples were processed, of which 150 tested positive for bacteria. Klebsiella pneumoniae (32%) was the most common isolate, followed by Acinetobacter spp. (20.66%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16%). Notable antibiotic resistance, particularly against third-generation cephalosporins, was observed, with 17.2% of g-negative isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance, primarily due to Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) production. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for more effective empirical treatment strategies for CAP.