RISK PROFILE AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNIICLINICAL ISOLATES IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN HYDERABAD

Introduction:Acinetobacter baumannii is a frequent cause of healthcare associated infections, has the ability to develop resistance to antibiotics quickly and survive in the hospital environment over a long period, posing a challenge in treatment and infection control. Risk profile and antimicrobial susceptibility of Acinetobacter baumannii varies from place to place. Materials and methods: This study was conducted at a teaching hospital from January to December 2021. Relevant patient history regarding risk factors was taken. Acinetobacter baumannii identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing from clinical samples was performed using the VITEK 2 system. Results: Out of a total of 3000 clinical samples processed, Acinetobacter baumannii was isolated in 114 (3.8%) of them. 61% were from males and 39% from females.62.3% isolates were from medicine department and 23.5% from general surgery.66.6% of the samples were from ICUs. Isolation was highest from respiratory samples followed by blood. Resistance was highest to cephalosporins followed by quinolones. The associated risk factors were age >50 years, co-morbidities, mechanical ventilation, prior antibiotic usage, invasive medical and surgical procedures and ICU stay. Conclusion: 74.5% of the isolates were resistant to carbapenems, which combined with risk factors noted in the study, narrows the choice of antibiotics. Varied antimicrobial susceptibility pattens across regions due to multiple reasons suggests the need for knowing local resistance rates to antibiotics. Timely and stringent infection control practices and appropriate use of antibiotics can play a vital role in reducing the burden of resistant strains while conserving and limiting antibiotic use.