Sony Shrestha*1, Anju Acharya2, Hari Prasad Nepal3, Rajendra
Gautam4, Shamshul Ansari5, Goma Upadhyay6 and Avisekh Gautam7
1,5Lecturer, 2Associate professor, 3,4Assistant Professor, 6Assistant Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, Chitwan Medical College (CMC), Chitwan, Nepal.
7Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, St. Xavier’s College, Kathmandu, Nepal.
1,5Lecturer, 2Associate professor, 3,4Assistant Professor, 6Assistant Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, Chitwan Medical College (CMC), Chitwan, Nepal.
7Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, St. Xavier’s College, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Abstract
Background: Lower respiratory tract infection
(LRTI) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in young children
and elderly people. It is among top ten diseases of Nepal and accounts for
deaths of 2.6 million people per year.
Objectives: To identify causative agents of lower respiratory tract infection and to determine their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents, with special interest to multidrug resistance (MDR).
Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in 240 sputum specimens received in the Microbiology Laboratory of Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital within a period of 6 months (April- September, 2010). Results: Total positive result was observed in 73 specimens (30.42%). Infection rate in males (58%) was higher than in females (42%). LRTI was mostly seen in age group of 61-75 years. Altogether 9 different species of bacteria were identified, majority of which were Gram-negative bacteria (73%). On performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Gram-positive organisms exhibited maximum sensitivity to gentamicin (100%) while Gram-negative bacteria showed variable response towards different antimicrobials. Prevalence of MDR was higher in Enterobacter spp (100%) followed by Escherichia coli (90%).
Conclusion: Varieties of pathogens are responsible for LRTI and antimicrobial resistance has become significant public health problem in central Nepal.
Keywords: Antimicrobial susceptibility, bacterial isolates, LRTI, MDR, Nepal
Objectives: To identify causative agents of lower respiratory tract infection and to determine their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents, with special interest to multidrug resistance (MDR).
Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in 240 sputum specimens received in the Microbiology Laboratory of Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital within a period of 6 months (April- September, 2010). Results: Total positive result was observed in 73 specimens (30.42%). Infection rate in males (58%) was higher than in females (42%). LRTI was mostly seen in age group of 61-75 years. Altogether 9 different species of bacteria were identified, majority of which were Gram-negative bacteria (73%). On performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Gram-positive organisms exhibited maximum sensitivity to gentamicin (100%) while Gram-negative bacteria showed variable response towards different antimicrobials. Prevalence of MDR was higher in Enterobacter spp (100%) followed by Escherichia coli (90%).
Conclusion: Varieties of pathogens are responsible for LRTI and antimicrobial resistance has become significant public health problem in central Nepal.
Keywords: Antimicrobial susceptibility, bacterial isolates, LRTI, MDR, Nepal
