Emergence of Resistant Bacterial Pathogens in Wound Infections: A Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Wound infections remain a major healthcare challenge, particularly in developing countries. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria further complicates treatment and recovery. This study assessed the bacteriological spectrum and antimicrobial resistance patterns of wound pathogens in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. A retrospective study was conducted from January to July 2019 in the Microbiology section of Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical College Hospital, Enayetpur, Bangladesh. A total of 295 wound specimens (swabs and pus aspirates) were processed by standard microbiological methods, and antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method following CLSI guidelines. Of the 295 samples, 217 (73.5%) showed bacterial growth. Escherichia coli (41%) was the predominant gram-negative isolate, while Staphylococcus aureus (31%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (13%) were the leading gram-positive pathogens. High levels of resistance were observed, though Imipenem, Meropenem, Amikacin, and Nitrofurantoin were effective against gram-negative bacteria. Gram-positive isolates showed higher sensitivity to Amoxiclav, Gentamicin, and Meropenem. The study highlights the emergence of resistant bacterial pathogens in wound infections. Effective antimicrobial stewardship, regular resistance surveillance, and strengthened infection control practices are essential to curb the spread of MDR organisms in healthcare settings. Keywords: Wound infections; Antimicrobial resistance; Multidrug-resistant bacteria; Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; Antibiotic susceptibility; Bangladesh.