Isolation of Acinetobacter species in an intensive care unit and its antibiotic sensitivity pattern in a tertiary care hospital, Patna, Bihar

Background: Recently, Acinetobacter has emerged as significant hospital pathogen, notoriously known to acquire antibiotic resistance to most of the commonly prescribed antimicrobials. Many risk factors are associated with Acinetobacter infections, especially in patients in intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to isolate Acinetobacter species from clinical specimens and its antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Material and Methods: Identification of Acinetobacter spp. was done by the battery of biochemical tests and its antimicrobial sensitivity was done according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines (CLSI). Results: Among the 158 isolates, 25 Acinetobacter strains (15.8%) were isolated mainly from the respiratory samples 24(96%) and only one (4%) isolate was from pus. Majority of Acinetobacter strains was isolated from male patients 19 (76%). Among the Acinetobacter spp. isolated, 44% were sensitive to Imipenem, 32% for Amikacin, 20% for Ceftazidime, 12% for Gentamycin, 4% for Cotrimoxazole and Piperacillin-Tazobactam. All the isolates showed 100% resistance for Ampicillin and Cefazolin. Conclusion: Nosocomial infection caused by Acinetobacter spp. was resistant to most antimicrobials have emerged, especially in ICU. Early identification and continued surveillance of prevalent organism will help in preventing the spread of Acinetobacter in hospital environment.