Bacterial Profile and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Patients with Burn Injuries in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Burn wound infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, particularly in developing countries. The disruption of the skin barrier and immunosuppression predispose burn patients to colonization and infection by various microorganisms. Continuous surveillance of bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility is essential for effective management.

Objective: To determine the bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of isolates from burn patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Jammu & Kashmir over a period of one year.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 150 burn patients admitted over one year. A total of 210 clinical samples (wound swabs, pus, and blood) were collected and processed using standard microbiological techniques. Identification of isolates was done by conventional methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.

Results: Out of 210 samples, 162 (77.1%) showed significant bacterial growth. Gram-negative organisms (71.5%) predominated over Gram-positive organisms (28.5%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (32.1%) was the most common isolate, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (25.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.5%), Acinetobacter baumannii (12.3%), and Escherichia coli (8.6%). High resistance was observed to cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. Carbapenems and polymyxins showed the highest sensitivity among Gram-negative organisms, while vancomycin and linezolid were highly effective against Gram-positive isolates. A significant proportion of isolates exhibited multidrug resistance.

Conclusion: Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are the predominant pathogens in burn wound infections. The high level of antimicrobial resistance observed highlights the need for regular surveillance, strict infection control measures, and rational antibiotic use to improve patient outcomes.