Prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Gram-Negative Bacilli causing Surgical Site Infections in a Tertiary Care Centre

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are continuing to be a major risk in health care settings. World Health Organization (WHO) describes surgical site infections (SSIs) as one among the major health issue, causing enormous burden to both patients as well as doctors. Multidrug-resistant pathogens that cause SSIs continue to be an ongoing and increasing challenge to health care settings. The objective of the present study was to know the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing gram-negative bacilli causing SSIs at a tertiary healthcare facility. The present cross-sectional observational study was done for a period of one year. Pus samples from clinically suspected cases of SSIs were collected and subjected to bacterial culture and sensitivity testing. From the total of 140 samples collected, a total of 138 bacterial isolates were isolated. Out of 138 isolates, 85 isolates (61.6%) were identified as gram-negative bacilli of which 33 isolates (38.8%) were identified to be ESBL phenotypes. Majority of the ESBL phenotypes were Escherichia coli (25.9%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (7%), Acinetobacter species (2.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.4%) and Proteus species (1.2%). Regular surveillance of antibiotic sensitivity pattern and screening for beta-lactamase production should be done which helps to know the trends of pathogenic bacteria causing SSI and guides in planning antibiotic therapy.