EMERGING MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE AND EXTENSIVE DRUG RESISTANCE IN BACTERIAL PATHOGENS ISOLATED FROM PUS SAMPLES AT A TERTIARY CARE INSTITUTE OF KASHMIR, INDIA

Background: The resistance to antibiotics is increasing at a pace faster than can be controlled. The most apparent reason is the in appropriate use of antibiotics. Multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) organisms are an important cause of hospital-acquired infections, creating a therapeutic challenge. Data regarding such organisms is not available. Therefore, the study was done to identify various organisms and their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns from pus samples, thus providing data about MDR and XDR organisms in our institute and guiding the appropriate use of antibiotics to prevent the emergence of such organisms. Methodology: 501 pus aspirates were studied over a period of 6 months for identification and antibiotic sensitivity. Results: 200 (40%) samples were culture positive and aerobic Gram-positive cocci showed predominance with a total of 110 (52.6%) isolates. 99 (47.4%) isolates were aerobic Gram-negative bacilli. The most common isolate was Staphylococcus aureus [79 (37.8%)]. Gram-positive organisms showed higher resistance towards ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and quinolones. Gram negatives organisms showed more resistance towards quinolones (55 to 84%) but were highly sensitive to carbapenems and polymyxin B. 111 (53.1%) isolates were MDR and 19 (9.1%) isolates were XDR. Conclusion: The resistance spectrum of pathogens varies in different regions. Therefore, local resistance patterns have to be known for appropriate antimicrobial use. In our study, a significant proportion of MDR along with some XDR organisms was seen. Urgent steps should be taken to minimize any resistance resulting due to inappropriate use of antibiotics, and identification of the causative pathogen before beginning therapy should be done. Keywordspus, isolates, antibiotics, multidrug resistant, extensively drug resistant.