ABSTRACT
Background: nosocomial infections are one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in hospitals. These infections have the most common frequency in intensive care units. The wide use of the drug caused evident resistance of bacteria to this antibiotic. The aim of the study was to investigate the Frequency and antibiotic resistance profile of bacteria isolated from the Intensive care unit and General ward at a general hospital in Tehran
Material and methods: in this cross-sectional study, we isolated 629 bacterium species from inpatients of Intensive care unit and General ward during one year [2005-2006]. Identification was done by standard bacteriologic methods. Bacterium sensitivity to sixteen antibiotics was assessed with disc diffuse method on Muller-Hinton agars
Results: ICU patients showed the increased percent of infections by gram positive bacteria and fungi. But decreased percent of infections by gram negative bacteria compared to general ward [p<0.01]. The most common pathogens isolated were Klebsiella [22.4%] in ICU and Escherichia coli [31.6%] in general wards. The highest resistance to antibiotic in ICU, was for ceftazidime [87.9%] and highest susceptibility for vancomaicin [7.7%]. The highest resistance to antibiotic in general wards, was for cefotaxim [87.6%] and lowest was for vancomaicin [7.7%]. Antibiotic resistance to more antibiotic was significantly high in ICU compared to general ward [p<0.01]
Conclusion: these findings provide useful information for future surveillance in association with prevention programs. Subsequently, surveillance should be focused on patients in intensive care unit