Bacteriological Profile of Bloodstream Infections Among Adults in a Tertiary Care Hospital From Central India: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospital settings. The increasing emergence of antimicrobial resistance among the causative pathogens has further complicated patient management and is a pressing public health concern. This study aimed to identify the etiological agents responsible for BSIs and to provide their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 June 2021 to 30 May 2023 in a tertiary care hospital. Blood samples were collected from adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of septicemia. Isolation and identification of organisms were performed according to standard microbiological guidelines. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: Out of 430 clinically suspected adult bacteraemia cases, blood cultures were positive in 196 cases (45.58%). Gram-negative bacteria were the most common causative agents, accounting for 71.42% of isolates, among which Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.93%) was predominant, followed by Escherichia coli (13.26%), Acinetobacter baumannii (9.69%). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was observed in 38.55% of Gram-negative isolates, with the highest rates among Klebsiella pneumoniae (54.76%). Gram-positive cocci comprised 26.02%, while Candida albicans was detected in 2.55% of cases. Methicillin resistance was detected in 33.33% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Conclusions: BSIs remain a major concern in tertiary care hospitals, with Gram-negative organisms being the predominant pathogens. Prompt diagnosis and timely reporting of antibiotic susceptibility results are crucial for guiding early and appropriate therapy.