Bacteriological Profile of Wound Infection and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Various Isolates in a Tertiary Care Center

Introduction: Wound infection due to various pathogenic microorganisms and the development of resistance to antibiotics is one of the major problems in medical sector. This study aimed to identify the etiological agents of wound infection along with their antibiotic susceptibility. Methods: A total of 400 wound swab specimens were collected from the patients visiting a tertiary center in western Nepal over a period of six months. Thus, collected specimens were processed in Microbiology laboratory for isolation of causative agents. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed for entire isolates by Kirby Baur disc diffusion method. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus was detected by cefoxitin disc diffusion test and Extended- Spectrum Beta-Lactamases producing Enterobacteriaeae by Phenotypic confirmatory disc diffusion test as recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Results: Two hundred and fifty-nine (64.7%) of specimens were infected, giving rise to 269 different isolates. Among these, 166 (61.7%) were gram positive and 101 (37.6%) were gram negative bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus (n = 130, 48.3%) was the most predominant bacteria followed by Escherichia coli (n=44, 16.3%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=23, 8.5%). Gentamicin followed by co-trimoxazole was the most effective among the tested antibiotics for Staphylococcus aureus. Gentamicin and ciprofloxacin were shown effective for isolated gram-negative bacteria. Conclusion: Fifty-eight (44.6%) of total Staphylococcus aureus were Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus positive and 16 (20.7%) of total Enterobacteriaceae were Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases producers. The increased prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase suggest rational use of antibiotics on the basis of antibiotic sensitivity results