Investigation of Microorganisms Isolated from Pressure Ulcers in the Palliative Care Unit
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Wound infections are an important cause of morbidity in bedridden patients with chronic diseases and malnutrition. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of microorganisms isolated from chronic wound and soft tissue specimens from patients hospitalized in the palliative care unit. Materials and Methods: Chronic wound, tissue, and abscess specimens sent from the palliative care service between March 2023 and March 2026 were included. Specimen quality was assessed by Gram staining. Samples were inoculated onto 5% sheep blood agar and eosin methylene blue agar and incubated at 37°C. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using the BD Phoenix automated system and disk diffusion method. Only the first culture-positive isolate from each patient was included. Results were interpreted according to EUCAST criteria. Specimens with abundant epithelial cells, scarce leukocytes, or growth of more than four organisms were considered contaminated. Results: A total of 326 specimens were analyzed. Growth was detected in 261 (80.2%) specimens, while no growth was observed in 28 (8.5%) and 37 (11.3%) were considered contaminated. Overall, 325 isolates were obtained, including 255 (78.5%) Gram-negative bacteria, 49 (15.1%) Gram-positive bacteria, and 21 (6.4%) Candida spp. The most frequently isolated Gram-negative bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.5%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.0%). Multidrug resistance was particularly notable in K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and A. baumannii strains. Among Gram-positive bacteria, Enterococcus spp. were the most common group, accounting for 8.3% of isolates. Conclusion: Wound specimens from palliative care patients predominantly yielded multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Regular local surveillance of pathogen distribution and resistance patterns may improve empirical treatment and infection management. The increase in Pseudomonas and Candida isolation also suggests the need for periodic revision of empirical treatment strategies.
Language: English
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7203576331