DETERMINATION OF MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII CAUSING VAP: A STUDY REPORT FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, LAHORE-PAKISTAN

Background: Worldwide, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. In developing countries, multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria cause VAP, and, unfortunately, resistance to a broad range of antibiotics challenges the appropriate use of empirical antibiotic therapy. Objectives: This study aims to find the multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii causing VAP at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Determining these MDR bacteria may help in choosing better therapeutic options and treatment strategies. Methodology: For the current observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, data were collected from VAP patients, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed. MDR A. baumannii strains are defined when the isolate resists≥1 antibiotic in 3 or more antimicrobial categories. The data was analysed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Results: All the isolates causing VAP are MDR (100%) and are more prevalent in females. Antibiotic resistance was found in all tested antibiotics except polymyxin B (0%), colistin (17.1%), and doxycycline (34.3%). The highest frequency of these MDR bugs was in the age group ≤1 year or 41-70 years. Conclusions: In the current setting, A. baumannii causing VAP is MDR, non-susceptible to all tested antibiotics except doxycycline and polymyxins. Thus, in the future, more studies with large sample sizes and properly implemented precautionary measures are needed to prevent MDR A. baumannii VAP.