Phenotypic Characterization and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Non-fermentative Gram Negative Bacilli from Clinical Samples

Non fermenting gram negative bacteria were considered to be nonpathogenic and commensal of little significance. Recently there has been a tremendous interest in these organisms as they are being isolated from clinical specimens with increasing frequency. So this study aims at isolation, identification and antibiotic susceptibility of non-fermenting gram negative bacilli from various clinical specimens and to find out their clinical significance among the inpatients admitted at tertiary care hospital at Bangalore. This study comprises of 148-isolates of Non Fermenting Gram Negative Bacilli from total of 2540 clinical specimens, collected from inpatients admitted to various departments during a period of 1 year. All the isolates were phenotypically characterised. In the present study, most common isolates were Ps.aeruginosa 43.9% followed by Ps.fluoroscence 16.2% & Ac. baumanii 9.4 %. Most common clinical conditions were local pyogenic infections, postoperative wounds, post traumatic wounds, lower respiratory tract infections & chronic suppurative otitis media. The most effective antibiotics were Imipenem, Amikacin, Azetreonam, Ticarcillin-clavulanic acid and levofloxacin in our study. Most of the NFs isolated were resistant to Penicillin group of drugs. The non-fermenting gram negative bacilli infection is mainly seen in patients with serious underlying risk factors like prolonged stay in hospital, catheterization, underlying diseases like diabetes, malignancies and chronic pulmonary disease. The most effective antibiotics were Imipenem, Amikacin, Azetreonam, Ticarcillin-clavulanic acid and levofloxacin in our study early diagnosis and institution of empirical therapy based on recent Antibiogram of the institute would reduce mortality and improve patient management.