Study on bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of clinical isolates obtained from COVID-19 patients with secondary infection

ABSTRACT

Background: Viral respiratory infections increase the risk of secondary bacterial infections owing to their need for hospitalisation, prolonged stay, the practice of Empiric Antimicrobial Prescription. This leads to worrisome Antimicrobial Resistance and such infections have a worse outcome. Materials and Methods:This is a cross-sectional study conducted on patients admitted with COVID-19 at GEMS and Hospital from April, 2021 to June, 2021. The bacteriological profile and susceptibility pattern of the isolates obtained while investigating secondary infections in COVID-19 patients were studied. Results: 132 positive growth samples were collected from ICU and various Wards. Maximum positive growth was found in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) 36 (27.2%), followed by Surgery ward 27 (20.5%) and Medicine Ward 27 (20.5%). Escherichia coli was most commonly isolated 59 (44.7%) followed by Klebsiella pneumonia 28 (21.2%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 17 (12.8%). Out of 90 Gram-negative isolates, 25 (27.8%) were found to be Multi-drug Resistants and out of 11 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 5 (45.5%) were MRSA. Conclusion: This study concludes that poor infection control and irrational antibiotic prescription practices play a major role in the development of secondary infections in these patients. Standard practices need to be followed and there should be an implementation of infection prevention control measures and Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) must reappraise the current situation.