Microbiological profile of infections in a tertiary care burns unit

Abstract

Background: The burden of infections among burns patients is higher in healthcare settings due to partial or complete loss of skin as a physical barrier among these patients. We intend to present microbiological profile of patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in South India.  Aim: To describe microbiological profile of infections and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of clinical isolates from burns patients in our tertiary care hospital. Materials and methods: This retrospective analysis was done on consecutive patients admitted with burns over a period of three years at Apollo Specialty Hospitals, a tertiary care facility in Vanagaram, Chennai. Data analysis included clinical isolates from blood, urine, tissue, pus and tracheal aspirate. Types of bloodstream infections, urosepsis and antibiogram are described. Results: Among 219 clinical isolates from various samples, 75% were gram-negative, 19% gram-positive and 6% were yeast like fungi. Among bloodstream infections, 32% were polymicrobial. Urosepsis was observed in 39% patients. Wound infections with sepsis was seen in 39% patients. Gram-negative isolates showed better susceptibility to amikacin, carbapenems, beta lactam – beta lactamase inhibitor combinations. Gram-positive isolates had better susceptibility to macrolides, doxycycline, glycopeptides.  Conclusion: The high prevalence of gram-negative, polymicrobial infections and multidrug resistant bacteria noted in our patients and the sensitivity patterns would help with appropriate decision on initial antibiotic therapy. However escalation and de-escalation of antibiotics should be planned based on culture reports.