STUDY OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT SUSCEPTIBILITY IN PATIENTS WITH LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION ADMITTED IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF TERTIARY HEALTHCARE HOSPITAL, AHMEDABAD.

Abstract

Aim - To study susceptibility of antimicrobial agents against microorganisms causinglower respiratory tract infections. Materials & Method - Total 185 patients with symptoms & signs of lower respiratory tract infection admitted in ICU of Tertiary Healthcare hospital of Ahmedabad were taken & samples from lower respiratory tract were sent & were given antimicrobial agents for 5 days according to culture & sensitivity report. Result - Patients with comorbidities are more likely to be admitted in ICU for management of LRTI & may require oxygen or ventilatory support. Sample from the lower respiratory tract should be sent for culture & sensitivity as early as possible. Various microorganisms, usually gram negative bacilli are isolated with variable sensitivity to antimicrobial agents. Discussion - Patients admitted to ICU for management of LRTI should be started on empirical antimicrobial agents immediately after sending sample from the lower respiratory tract for culture & sensitivity. Majority of the patients require a shift to an antimicrobial agent of choice according to sensitivity report. Patients with requirement of ventilatory support on admission yielded more resistant microorganisms & had poor prognosis despite sensitive antimicrobial agent therapy.