Cross sectional analysis of aerobic bacteria and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern among orthopedic wound infections at a tertiary care hospital in Karnataka

Orthopedic wound infections are one of the important causes of morbidity and are difficult to treat. With the development of antimicrobial resistance, the situation has further worsened and it has become difficult to manage them by conservative means leading to further deterioration in health and wellbeing of the patients. To avoid such complications, orthopedic wound infections need to be managed at the earliest by microbial isolation and appropriate antibiotic administration.

1. To study the profile of aerobic bacteria affecting the orthopedic wounds.

2. To study the pattern of their antibiotic susceptibility.

A Cross sectional study was conducted using secondary data of orthopedic wound infection cases maintained in the microbiology laboratory registers for a period of 1 year from September 2014 to August 2015. The bacteriological agents were isolated, identified and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns were determined using standard protocols. Analysis was done using MS Excel 2010.

Our study yielded 249 (56.08%) positive culture cases. Prevalence of Gram positive bacteria was more than Gram negative bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant causative agent followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The prevalence of MRSA was 25%. All the Gram positive cocci isolates were sensitive to linezolid and vancomycin. Members of Enterobacteriaceae family showed high sensitivity to Meropenem followed by amikacin. Polymyxin B and piperacillin-tazobactam were the most effective antibiotics among non-fermenters. All the Gram negative bacteria were resistant to penicillin and cephalosporins.

Microbial analysis of samples and their antibiogram is recommended for proper management of Orthopaedic wounds.