Evaluation of Respiratory Tract Infectious Pathogens and Their Antibiotic Sensitivity in a South Indian Hospital

Abstract

This study is aimed to determine prevalence of infectious agents causing respiratory tract infection (RTIs) and their sensitivity to antibiotics. The study was conducted in Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences of Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh in South India from December 2013 to May 2014. Patients who were clinically suspected of RTIs were included in the study. Sputum, throat swab and pleural fluid samples were collected aseptically from the patients and subjected to testing for antibiotic sensitivity. In our study, six different types of bacteria were identified, among S. pneumoniae and K. pneumoniae were the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria respectively. Bacteria were highly sensitive to Gentamycin, Ciprofloxacin, and Azithromycin and resistant to Cotrimoxazole, Penicillin G, and Ampicillin. Data presented in this study indicate that some of the antibiotics commonly used to treat RTIs are still effective. But, it is still important to periodically monitor the prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern before empirical therapy is initiated in hospitals as there is substantial risk of developing antimicrobial resistance.

Keywords: community setting, hospital setting, microorganisms, respiratory tract infections, susceptibility