Banerjee, A., and *Pavani, G
Department of Microbiology, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Hyderabad, India
*Correspondence to: drpavanic@gmail.com
Abstract:
Background: Pyogenic infections, characterized by pus formation due to acute inflammation, remain a common clinical problem, particularly in hospital settings. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among causative bacterial pathogens poses a significant threat to treatment efficacy. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacterial isolates from pyogenic infections in a tertiary care hospital in Southern India.
Methodology: An observational laboratory-based study was conducted from January to April 2025 in the Microbiology Department of Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Hyderabad, India. A total of 138 pus, aspirates and wound swab samples were processed using standard aerobic culture techniques. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using the VITEK 2 Compact system following the CLSI 2025 guidelines.
Results: Out of 138 specimens, 79 (57.3%) were culture-positive for clinically significant bacterial isolates. Gram-negative isolates predominated (73.4%, n=58), with Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.9%) as the most prevalent pathogen, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (20.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.2%). Notably, 50.0% of K. pneumoniae and 16.7% of P. aeruginosa isolates were resistant to carbapenems. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed in 16.5% of the isolates. Among S. aureus isolates, 75.0% were methicillin-resistant (MRSA) but all the Gram-positive isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid.
Conclusion: This study underscores the predominance of K. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa in pyogenic infections and highlights alarming levels of antimicrobial resistance, including carbapenem resistance and MRSA. The findings emphasize the urgent need for robust antimicrobial stewardship, continuous surveillance, and adherence to infection control measures to manage AMR effectively.
Keywords: Pyogenic infections, Antimicrobial resistance. Multidrug-resistant bacteria, VITEK 2, Southern India
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