AN ASSESSMENT OF AEROBIC GRAM-NEGATIVE RODS OCCURRENCE IN THE HIGH VAGINAL SWABS: DETERMINATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PROFILE

Objective:  The goal of this study was to find out the frequency of aerobic gram-negative rods in high vaginal swabs and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility  profile.

Methodology: This group research was conducted at Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi in the timeframe of six months starting from August 2017 to February 2018. After collection of vaginal swabs, we cultured all the samples on agar plates (MacConkey) and blood with incubation on the temperature of 35 – 37 degrees Celsius for a period of 24 – 48 hours. Every patient gave his informed consent before the commencement of research and ethical approval was also taken before the commencement of research. Statistical analysis was made on SPSS.

Results:  Majority of culture-positive females were between  25-30 years of age.  Escherichia  coli  (72%),  Klebsiella  spp  (16%),  Enterobacter  (6%),  Proteus  spp  (2%),  Morganella  (2%),  Pseudomonas  spp  (2%).  All these isolates showed good sensitivity towards imipenem and Cefoperazone sulbactam.

Conclusion: Escherichia coli (72%) was the predominant organism followed by Klebsiella spp (16%).

Keywords: Bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, high vaginal swabs ,  imipenem, Cefoperazone sulbactam.