Background: Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are a growing problem in hospital practice, limiting treatment options and complicating patient care. Local data on their distribution and associated clinical features are important for guiding infection control and antimicrobial use, particularly in tertiary care settings. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. Microbiology records of all culture-positive clinical samples from hospitalized patients over six months were reviewed. Only the first isolate per patient was included. MDROs were defined as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylo- coccus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Clinical data were obtained for MDRO-positive patients and analyzed descriptively. Results: Of 982 samples processed, 300 were culture-positive. Among these, 96 were MDROs, giving a proportion of 32.0 (95 CI: 26.737.6). Gram-negative bacilli accounted for 84.4 of MDROs. ESBL-producing Enterobacterales (46.9) and CRE (40.6) predominated, while MRSA (12.5) and VRE (3.1) were less frequent. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most common species. Mean patient age was 58.3 16.2 years, and nearly two-thirds were male. Recent antimicrobial use, prior hospitalization, and indwelling devices were frequently observed. Urine was the most common specimen source, with ESBL organisms predominating, while blood cultures more often yielded CRE and MRSA. Conclusions: MDROs accounted for a substantial proportion of culture-positive isolates, with Gram-negative organisms predominating. The frequent occurrence of recent antimicrobial exposure, prior hospitalization, and device use highlights the need for closer attention to antimicrobial prescribing and infection control in similar hospital settings.
Swetha Goka (Sat,) studied this question.