Ajmal Rashid, Mohammad A Naeem.
Cutaneous bacterial infections; antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.
Professional Med J Jan ;13(4):591-5.

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.

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