BACTERIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERNS OF BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM PUS SAMPLES

Abstract

Bacterial wound infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and are increasingly complicated by the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, making continuous microbiological surveillance essential for effective patient management. The present study investigated the bacteriological profile of pus samples and evaluated the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates recovered from clinically significant wound infections. A total of 651 pus samples were processed using standard microbiological techniques, including culture, Gram staining, biochemical identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Of these, 362 (55.5%) samples were culture positive. Gram-negative bacteria predominated (84.8%), with Klebsiella spp. being the most frequently isolated organism, followed by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., and Proteus spp. Gram-positive isolates comprised 15.2% of the total and included methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus spp. The susceptibility analysis demonstrated comparatively high effectiveness of carbapenems and β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations against most Gram-negative isolates, whereas Linezolid and Vancomycin remained highly active against Gram-positive pathogens. These findings underscore the importance of routine bacteriological culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing for guiding evidence-based antimicrobial therapy, strengthening antimicrobial stewardship programs, supporting infection control strategies, and monitoring evolving resistance patterns within healthcare institutions.