Bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of clinical isolates in a tertiary care cancer center

Abstract

Introduction:This increased risk of bacterial infections in the cancer patient is further compounded by the rising trends of antibiotic resistance in commonly implicated organisms. In the Indian setting this is particularly true in case of Gram negative bacilli such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter spp. Increasing resistance among Gram positive organisms is also a matter of concern. The aim of this study was to document the common organisms isolated from bacterial infections in cancer patients and describe their antibiotic susceptibilities.Methods:We conducted a 6 month study of all isolates from blood, urine, skin/soft tissue and respiratory samples of patients received from medical and surgical oncology units in our hospital. All samples were processed as per standard microbiology laboratory operating procedures. Isolates were identified to species level and susceptibility tests were performed as per Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines -2012.Results:A total of 285 specimens from medical oncology (114) and surgical oncology services (171) were cultured. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter spp. were most commonly encountered. More than half of the Acinetobacter strains were resistant to carbapenems. Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae to cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and carbapenems was >50%. Of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates 41.67% were methicillin resistant.Conclusion:There is, in general, a high level of antibiotic resistance among gram negative bacilli, particularly E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter spp. Resistance among Gram positives is not as acute, although the MRSA incidence is increasing.

Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern and Spectrum of Multiple-drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Iranian Hospitalized Patients with Cancer

“…[ 10 11 12 ] We found that E. coli and K. pneumoniae were the most frequent Gram-negative bacteria isolated from cancer patients. Despite some reports inconsistent with our findings,[ 11 13 14 15 ] still, there is controversy about the prevalence of common etiology of nosocomial infections in patients with cancer. However, some reasons may explain the observed discrepancies in etiology of nosocomial infections.…”

Bacteriological Profile and Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Clinical Isolates in a Tertiary Cancer Care Center in the Northeast India

“…Similar finding with rates of multidrug resistance organisms has been noted in a study from Mumbai. 1 2 However, fortunately, the antimicrobial profile of carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem) and aminoglycosides (gentamicin, amikacin, netilmicin) showed >50% sensitivity. Although a susceptibility of 50% is not enough for empirical treatment, for nonneutropenic patients, carbapenems can be an empirical choice of treatment.…”

“…In spite of the recent advances made by medical science in cancer treatment, infections still remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients diagnosed with cancer. 1 2 Cancer patients are often immunocompromised because of the disease process itself and also due to various interventions such as chemotherapy. In addition, there are usually other associated risk factors for acquiring infection such as long-term catheterization, mucositis due to cytotoxic agents, neutropenia, and stem-cell transplantation.…”

Cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility data for a tertiary-level paediatric oncology unit in Johannesburg, South Africa

“…4,5,6 Numerous studies in paediatric oncology units have raised concerns about the increase in resistant pathogens. 7,8,9,10 The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) carries out surveillance in South Africa and collates resistance data from both public-and private-sector laboratories, which it publishes annually. The data shows that resistance in general is increasing in certain gram-negative bacteria and yeasts.…”