ANTIMICROBIAL SENSITIVITY PATTERN OF ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATES FROM VARIOUS CLINICAL SAMPLES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

E Coli is the most commonly encountered human pathogen which has been associated with various clinical manifestations.Analyzing resistance pattern of Escherichia coli to commonly prescribed antibiotics helps to decide empirical therapy.The study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2018.Total of 2135 E coli isolates were recovered from various clinical specimens .In our study antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of 1925 E coli isolates was studied Maximum no of E coli were isolated from urine 867 [40.60%] followed by skin & soft tissue specimens 691 [32.36%],stool specimens 179 [8.38%] , Respiratory Tract specimens 129[6.04%] , and blood 59 [2.76] .Out of 867 E coli isolates from urine specimens maximum susceptibility was found against Fosfomycin 806 [92.96 %] followed by Amikacin 753 [86.85 %], Ertapenem 702[80.96%], Gentamicin 563[64.93 %] and Nitrofurantoin 518[59.74% ]Most isolates of E coli from UTI, SSTI, RTI, BSI are susceptible to Carbapenems , Amikacin and CefoperazoneSulbactam..Increasing resistance to oral antimicrobial agents is a serious issue.Improved facilities for microbiology laboratories and judicious use of antimicrobial agents is need of the hour.