STUDY ON NON-TUBERCULOUS AEROBIC BACTERIAL PROFILE OF LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN HOSPITALISED GERIATRIC POPULATION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Journal Title: Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 55
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increasing number of persons above 65 years of age forms a special population at risk for infections. The vulnerability of this age group is related to impaired host defences such as diminished cell-mediated immunity. LRTIs place a considerable strain on the health budget and are more serious than upper respiratory infections. Accurate diagnosis of respiratory tract infections in older people is problematic because of the lack of clear symptoms and signs. In addition, the increasing prevalence of bacterial resistance to antibiotic therapy has complicated the antimicrobial selection process and highlights the importance of appropriate treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was observational and prospective, undertaken over a period of one year from October 2015 to September 2016 conducted in the Institute of Microbiology in association with the Department of Geriatric Medicine, Madurai Medical College, Madurai. A total of 110 patients of 65 years of age and above admitted with lower respiratory tract infections [LRTIs] were studied. Microbiology methods included direct microscopic examination for potassium hydroxide wet mount and Gram staining. Culture was done by semi-quantitative method. RESULTS A total of 110 patients of 65 years of age and above admitted with lower respiratory tract infections [LRTI] were studied. Majority of the patients were in the age group of 65 – 74 years (82.7%). From the 110 patients, sputum was collected from 93 (84.5%). Other respiratory specimens included bronchial wash- 11 (10.0%), bronchoalveolar lavage- 4 (3.6%), pleural fluid- 2 (1.8%). Among the 93 sputum samples, 65 (59.1%) were positive for any one pathogen. The different spectrum of organisms grown were Klebsiella pneumonia 28 (36.8%), Klebsiella oxytoca 3 (3.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 17 (22.3%), Acinetobacter baumannii 9 (11.8%), Staphylococcus aureus 8 (10.5%), Proteus mirabilis 4 (5.3%), Escherichia coli 3 (3.9%), Streptococcus pneumonia 2 (2.6%), Citrobacter koseri 2 (2.6%). CONCLUSION From this prospective study, it is quite clear that the elderly patients are at high risk for contracting lower respiratory tract infections due to Gram-negative bacteria. The emergence of resistant strains in the patients of the present study emphasises the need of prudent use of antibiotics.
Authors and Affiliations
Moongilpatti Ramasami Vasanthapriyan, Velusamy Dhanalakshmi
Keywords
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- EP ID EP225902
- DOI 10.14260/Jemds/2017/902
- Views 48
- Downloads 0
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