Trends of Invitro Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern in Blood Isolates in a Tertiary Care Institute in North West Region of Rajasthan over a Period of 3 Years

Purpose: Blood stream infections (BSI) are a major cause of mortality in both developed & developing countries. Early diagnosis & appropriate treatment can make a difference between life & death. The present study was undertaken to find the pattern of etiological agents of BSI & their drug susceptibility. Material & Method: A retrospective analysis of laboratory records from January 2010 to December 2012 was carried out. Conventional blood culture method was used throughout the study. Organisms were identified by standard microbiological procedures and antibiotic sensitivity was performed using the disk diffusion method. Result: A total of 3600 samples of suspected blood stream infections (BSI) were included. Bacterial growth was obtained in 1113 samples (30.91%). Maximum isolates were obtained from 0-10 years of age group (62.98%). Gram positive cocci accounted for 57.24% and Gram negative for 21.20% and candida sp as 21.56% of positive cultures. Coagulase negative staphylococci (44.11%), coagulase positive staphylococci (12.66%), Acinatobacter (6.56%) & pseudomonas (5.75%) were predominant organisms. We observed increasing resistance to antibiotics. Discussion: The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of blood isolates showed that the isolates were showing increase in resistance to routinely used antibiotics. Conclusion: This emphasizes the importance of stringent infection control practices, rational prescribing policies and need for development of new drugs & vaccines.