Bacteriological profile and the sensitivity patterns of culture positive organisms in COVID-19 positive patients

Abstract

Use of antibiotics without proper confirmation carries risk of over use of antibiotics. It is associated with certain side effects like loss of natural bacterial flora present in the human body. It can lead to resistance to the bacteria due to irrational use of antibiotics. Present study was carried out to study the bacteriological profile and the sensitivity patterns of culture positive organisms in COVID-19 positive patients.Hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2021 to June 2021 in the Department of Microbiology, Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences (MRIMS), Hyderabad in 38 samples. These samples were referred from General Medicine Department. Culture and sensitivity was done in all cases. Majority of subjects belonged to the age group of 20-29 years (31.6%). The proportion of males (57.9%) was more than the proportion of females (42.1%). Most common co-morbidity was diabetes seen in 21.1% of the cases. was the most common organism found in four cases. Incidence of secondary bacterial infection in COVID-19 patients in the present study was 39.5%. Among the antibiotics studied in COVID-19 patients, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactum, nitrofurantoin and chloramphenicol were found to be highly sensitive to most of the organisms. Antibiotics like cefepime, ampicillin, ceftazidime and cotrimoxazole were resistant to most of the organisms.Based on the study findings, we conclude that antibiotics like amikacin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactum, nitrofurantoin and chloramphenicol can be used in most of the patients with COVID-19.Antibiotics should be used with caution especially in patients with COVID-19. Antibiotics like amikacin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactum, nitrofurantoin and chloramphenicol can be used in most of the patients with COVID-19 while awaiting the results of culture and sensitivity. In all cases where physicians are in dilemma culture and sensitivity is highly recommended.