ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives The microbial surveillance of intensive care units (ICUs) for multidrug resistant bugs is required for management of ICU patients. The objectives of the study were to find out the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended spectrum of beta lactamase (ESBLs) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella isolates in clinical samples from ICU patients. Methods A total of 464 clinical samples were received in the department of microbiology for culture and sensitivity from ICU patients and were processed as per standard protocol. Detection of MRSA and ESBLs was carried out by using CLSI guidelines. Results A total of 164 were positive for culture. A total of 196 isolates were isolated, among that 57 were S. aureus and 34 were E. coli, 51 were Klebsiella spp. and remaining 54 isolates were other gram negative and gram positive organisms. Out of 57 S. aureus, 23 (42.6%) were detected as MRSA. 41.2% of E. coli and 45.1% of Klebsiella spp. were ESBL producers. The antibiotic sensitivity rates were found higher in MRSA than MSSA and also same in non-ESBL-producing and ESBL-producing strains which were statistically significant (p-value). Conclusion The maximum ESBL producing isolates were Klebsiella. spp than E. coli. Vancomycin and linezolid remains a drug of choice for MRSA. For ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella, carbapenems remain the drug of choice. Institutional antimicrobial surveillance and proper infection control practices are essential to prevent and control multidrug resistant bugs in ICUs and hospital.