Sensitivity pattern of bacteria causing respiratory tract infections in a tertiary care centre

Background: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are one of the major public health problems and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many developing countries. A better understanding of pathogens that cause RTIs is important to select appropriate antimicrobials. In recent years, due to inappropriate use of antimicrobials there is spread of bacterial resistance. The present study was designed to analyze the etiological agents of RTIs and their susceptibility pattern to some commonly prescribed antibiotics.Methods: The study was conducted in Narayana Medical College Hospital of Nellore in Andhra Pradesh in South India from January 2011 to November 2011. Patients who were clinically suspected of having RTIs were included in the study. Sputum or throat swab samples were collected aseptically from the patients and subjected to testing and antibiotic sensitivity.Results: Out of 466 samples 54.9% were males and 45.1% were females. Most prevalent microbes were Klebsiella spp. (51.1%) and least prevalent microbe was enterococci (1.3%). Bacteria were highly sensitive to Meropenem, Imipenem, Piperacillin with Tazobactum and were resistant to Penicillin G, Ampicillin, Cotrimoxazole and Cefepime.Conclusion: RTIs are one of the most common health problems in developing countries. Various drugs are being used in the treatment of RTIs, in the mean time resistance to many of them are emerging. An appropriate antibiotic has to be initiated only after culture sensitivity in RTIs