Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Bloodstream infections are common, often life-threatening infections associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly when caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. They are particularly more prevalent in vulnerable populations, such as elderly patients, children and immunocompromised individuals. The increasing antimicrobial resistance among these pathogens have added difficulty in the process of infection control and patient management. The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalent microbial pathogens isolated from blood cultures and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. 400 blood culture samples were obtained from various departments of hospital and processed in bioMérieux BACT/ALERT® automated microbial detection system. Sub-culturing of positive cultures, and further identification of bacterial species was done using standard microbiological as well as biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted in line with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute directions. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. Among 400 samples, there were 27 culture positive (6.75%). Out of these, 20 (74.1%) were females and 7 (25.9%) were males. Gram-negative bacteria were predominant compared to Gram-positive bacteria. Commonly isolated organisms included Burkholderia cepacia, Salmonella typhi, methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci, and extensively drug-resistant Salmonella typhi. High resistance rates were observed against common antibiotic agents including ceftriaxone, ampicillin, co-trimoxazole and augmentin. Conversely, most of the isolates were sensitive to Carbapenems, linezolid, vancomycin and azithromycin, making them reliable treatment options. Although the culture positivity rate was low, there was a very high prevalence of multi drug-resistant organisms. Therefore, rational use of antibiotics, effective infection control policies and updated local antibiograms are essential to enhance treatment effects and overcome the increasing resistance.
Source: NUST Journal of Natural Sciences
Authors: Sana Azram, Isma Habib, Dr. Zargona Zafar
Institution: Virtual University of Pakistan
Language: English
Subfield: Microbiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7223274295