Bacteriological Profile and their Antibiogram of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital from Eastern Gujarat

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an important Intensive Care Unit infection and a frequent cause of broad-spectrum antibiotic use. Local microbiological data are needed to guide empirical therapy.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Zydus Medical College and Hospital, Dahod, from December 2023 to October 2025. Respiratory specimens from adults with clinically suspected VAP were examined by Gram stain, culture, biochemical identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing according to CLSI 2022 criteria.

Results: Of 309 respiratory specimens, 218 (70.6%) were culture-positive. Positivity was higher among men, and most positive specimens were from the 30-59 year age range. Endotracheal aspirate (ETA) yielded the largest number of positive cultures (175/248, 70.6%), Tracheostomy Tube aspirate (TTA) had the highest positivity proportion (37/47, 78.7%), and Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) had the lowest yield (6/14, 42.9%). Klebsiella spp. (26.1%), Pseudomonas spp. (23.9%), Acinetobacter spp. (21.1%), Staphylococcus spp. (18.3%), and Escherichia coli (8.7%) were the predominant isolates. Resistance was frequent among third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, whereas some aminoglycosides and carbapenems retained activity against selected isolates.

Conclusion: VAP in this setting was dominated by Gram-negative bacilli. Ongoing local surveillance and antibiotic stewardship are essential to guide empirical therapy.