CUTANEOUS BACTERIAL INFECTIONS

ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN

Abstract

Objective: To find out causative pathogens and their frequency in study group in common cutaneous
bacterial infection and determine antibacterial susceptibility pattern. Design: Samples were collected either by swabs
from skin lesions or where required aspiration of tissue fluid followed by examination in the laboratory for identification
of organisms through culture on appropriate media and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Setting: Department of
Dermatology Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Subjects: Hundred patients irrespective of age and sex who had not
received antibiotic in last 72 hours, with a clinical diagnosis of any common cutaneous bacterial infection were selected
irrespective of any coexisting cutaneous or systemic disease. Results: The data was compiled and statistical analysis
was done by using SPSS version 10. Isolated colonies of Staphylococcus aureus were found in 52% of the cases while
Streptococcus pyogenes was found as a pure growth in 18% of the cases. Mixed cultures of both these organisms were
found in 30% of the cases. Staphylococcus aureus resistance to Penicillin (97.5%), Erythromycin (37.8%),
Cotrimoxazole (31.7%), Cephradine (30.4%) and Tetracycline (34.1%). Resistance against Cloxacillin (3.6%) and
Gentamicin (2.4%) was much less. Among 82 isolated Staphylococcus aureus three isolated (3.6%) were found to be
MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). Streptococcus pyogenes although found completely sensitive
to penicillins, showed resistance to Tetracycline (39.5%), Cotrimoxazole (31.2%) Erythromycin (27%) and Gentamicin
(10.5%) Vancomycin sensitivity was shown by 100% of isolates. Conclusion: The comparison of this study with
previous studies indicates that problem of bacterial resistance amongst common cutaneous pathogens is increasing.
The situation calls for creating awareness regarding dangers of indiscriminate use of antibiotics.