Bacterial Infection of Burn Wound & Its’ Clinical Implication

Objective: To analyze causative organisms causing burn wound infection during two different periods and compare the results with respect to sensitivity and resistant to different antibiotics. Study Design: Observational, cross sectional study. Duration of the study: April 2006 to Dec 2012. Setting: Burn Emergency Unit, Liaquat University Hospital. Methodology: All burn patients having BSA 20% or greater, irrespective of the etiology and gender were included in the study. These managed as per protocol of the unit. Swab for culture and sensitivity were taken at 2nd dressing and then on weekly basis for 4 weeks or until the entire burn wounds healed or the grafted. The collected swab(s) is transported in sterile, leak-proof container to central laboratory. At central laboratory these swabs are streak onto MacConkey’s agar and on blood agar. These plates are incubated aerobically at 37°C for 20-24 hours. To determine antibiotic sensitivity of isolates obtained, we use “filter paper disc diffusion method” commonly known as “Kirby Bauer method”. Results: On average swab sensitivity was done on each patient for 4 times. From 4684 swabs sent for bacterial isolates and sensitivity, 371 (8%) were sterile and 4313 reports were positive for different bacterial isolates. This includes 958 from 1 period and 3355 reports from 2 period. The organisms isolated were single in majority of cases. However 13 nd reports from 1 period and 171 reports from 2 period showed more than one organism and finally 4497 bacterial st nd isolates and their sensitivity patterns were available for this study. Conclusion: It could be concluded that Acinetobacter is a major threat, as most strains are emerging resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Therefore preventive measures must be focus of our attention to minimize contamination of the burn wound if the prospect of the burn victim is to be changed in our favor.