RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITIES OF GRAM-POSITIVE COCCI IN SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS IN ONE TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SOUTHERN INDIA

Background
Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are the most prevalent infection types worldwide, particularly in India. Regular assessment of microbial profiling data and antibiograms (cumulative susceptibility report) aids healthcare professionals in making informed decisions about optimal empiric antimicrobial therapy.

Material and methods
A retrospective investigation was conducted in a 300-bed tertiary care hospital (Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases), focusing on the prevalence of SSTIs within the hospital wards.

Results
Out of the 816 positive samples, 44.1% comprised Gram-positive organisms (360 samples), 52.5% were Gram-negative (428 samples), and 3.4% were fungal (28 samples). In the specific investigation focusing on the Gram-positive organisms (360 samples), Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) accounted for 45.6% (164 samples), Enterococcus species for 18.6% (67 samples), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) for 18.1% (65 samples), and other Gram-positive bacteria for 17.8% (64 samples). Our research reports reveal that Gram-Positive Cocci show high sensitivity patterns to Vancomycin, Teicoplanin, and Linezolid. Conversely, notable resistance was observed with Penicillin, Ciprofloxacin, and Levofloxacin.

Conclusions
CoNS has a higher incidence of infection among Gram-positive organisms, suggesting the potential inclusion of additional antibiotic classes in susceptibility studies. Based on our study's results, discontinuing the use of antibiotics that show resistance may be considered.