A study on pattern of antimicrobial resistance in clinical isolates of acinetobacter spp at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background and Objective: Acinetobacter has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen,and can cause a wide spectrum of clinical infections in the ICU.In recent years the incidence of Acinetobacter infection is a great concern due to its ability to develop multiple resistance mechanisms against major antibiotic classes including cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, carbapenems, and quinolones.Hence this study was undertaken to determine the antibiotic resistant pattern of Acinetobacter isolates from clinical samples .Materials and Methods:A total of 63 isolates of Acinetobacter spp collected from various clinical samples during the six month period (January2014-June2014) were included in this study. Isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method and the results were interpreted as per recommended by the CLSI.Results: Among 63 isolates studied,,47(74.6%) were identified as A.baumannii, 16 were A. lwoffii (25.4%).Urine was the most common source of Acinetobacter (36.51%) followed by respiratory specimens(26.98%). About 39(61.90 %) isolates were found to be multidrug resistant by disc diffusion method.The most active drug against MDR Acinetobacter was found to be Polymyxin B (93.65%).Conclusion:To prevent the occurrence and transmission of MDR Acinetobacter in the ICU, antibiotic control strategies and infection control measures are essential