EMERGING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PATTERNS IN BLOOD STREAM INFECTIONS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA

Introduction: Bloodstream infection (BSI) is dened by positive blood cultures in a patient with systemic signs of infection and may be either primary or secondary. This study aims to determine the emerging drug resistant pattern of blood stream infections in intensive care units at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted over one year by collecting 102 blood samples from patients admitted in all Intensive Care Units of all age groups with clinical diagnosis of blood stream infections. Identication and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using standard microbiological methods. Results: Among 102 samples, 53% were positive. Diabetic patients in ICU are more prone for BSIs than patients with other comorbid conditions. Escherichia coli was the highest among bacterial isolates. Klebsiella pneumoniae showed the highest resistance. Conclusion: The Enterobacteriaceae family was the leading cause among Gram negative bacilli, and multi drug resistance was noticed more in this family. Klebsiella species was the most common Multi Drug Resistant bacteria and some strains were resistant even to last-line treatment, carbapenems. So it is better that all the Intensive Care Units should start or modify treatment depending upon the resistant pattern to have better outcome.