Microbial load in UTI, LRTI, BSI among acute ischemic stroke patients

The incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) and blood stream infections in Acute Ischemic Stroke patients is of interest. Hence, a prospective cohort study was conducted on 60 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted within 48 hours from onset of stroke under department of Neurology, tertiary care hospital between Jan 2024 to July 2024. The mean age of the patients was 67.8 years. The average National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 10.2 ± 3.8 indicating moderate stroke severities. Samples from acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients were were processed microbiologically for the presence of potential pathogens using standard microbial procedures and antibiotic susceptibility tests performed using disc diffusion technique. Production of AmpC Beta Lactamase, Carbapenemase and Methicillin resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> was detected by routinely used phenotypic methods. Most of the infection identified was UTI (48.3%) followed by lower respiratory tract infections 33.3% and the common microbial isolates were <i>E. coli</i> (33.3%) in majority of the acute stroke patients. Thus, regular screening for infections in stroke patients through clinical observation and microbiological testing (<i>e.g.</i>, cultures, blood tests) can help in early treatment and implementing best practices for rehabilitation, including mobility support, nutrition and skin care, can lower the risk of secondary infections.