Bacterial Spectrum and Susceptibility patterns of Pathogens in ICU and IMCU of a Secondary Care Hospital in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the microbiological spectrum and susceptibility pattern of pathogens in intensive care unit
(ICU) and intermediate care unit (IMCU) in a single medical center from June 2011 to May 2012.
Study Design: Prospective descriptive study.
Place and duration of study: The study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, King Abdullah
Hospital Bisha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over a period of 12 months from June 2011 to May 2012.
Materials and Methods: Antibiotic in vitro susceptibility data of predominant ICU and IMCU isolates during
2011–12 were analyzed using WHONET program.
Results: 335 Clinical isolates were analyzed. The frequencies of Gram-positive and Gram negative bacteria were
15 % and 85% respectively. Acinetobacter spp, Klebsiella species and Pseudomonas species were the most common Gram
negative isolates, while Staph. aureus and Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were the two leading Gram
positive isolates. 81 % Acinetobacter spp were found Multidrug- Resistant. Three Acinetobacter spp were found pan
resistant. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae accounted for 57 % of all
Klebsiella species isolates. 29% Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found resistant to Imipenem.
Conclusion: The high incidence of reduced antibiotic susceptibility among Gram negative bacteria in ICUs
suggests that more effective strategies are needed to control the selection and spread of resistant organisms.