“ASSESSMENT OF MICROBIAL PATHOGENS AMONG PLASTIC SURGERY PATIENTS OF TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN”

Abstract

Burn wound infection (BWI) presents a serious concern in medical practice because it is directly linked to delayed wound healing, extended hospital stays, increased morbidity, and significant financial strains on healthcare institutions. In order to explore the bacteriological spectrum of BWIs, evaluate antibiotic resistance patterns, and determine main risk factors contributing to infection, this study was done in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Burn patients admitted during the study period provided a total of 59 wound swab samples. Forty-six (77.9%) of these samples were culture-positive, therefore verifying the presence of bacterial infections. Male patients (69.4%) showed a greater prevalence of BWI than females (30.6%), a pattern in line with global data indicating more exposure of guys to occupational and environmental burn hazards. Between the ages of 21 and 35, most often affected age group might be explained by higher levels of physical activity and increased risk of injuries connected to trauma in this group. Most burn injuries were trauma-related; lower limbs (especially the legs) and upper limbs (especially the hands) are the most often affected anatomical sites.

Microbiological study found that Acinetobacter species were the most common pathogens, followed Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Morganella morganii, and Escherichia coli . These results underline the predominance of Gram-negative bacteria in burn wound infections and fit with trends observed in earlier research. Testing for antibiotic susceptibility showed that gentamicin and amikacin had the greatest efficacy—isolates showed 100% sensitivity. By contrast, alarmingly high resistance rates were found for ampicillin and gentamicin, hence emphasizing the danger given by antimicrobial resistance.

Particularly worrisome was the discovery among the isolates MDR (multidrug resistant) strains. The rise of these MDR germs is probably related to widespread and sometimes uncontrolled antibiotic usage, absence of routine culture and sensitivity testing, and poor infection control measures in certain clinical environments. These results show how urgently strong antimicrobial stewardship policies, ongoing microbiological surveillance, and strict evidence-based treatment guidelines compliance have to be put into action. Such actions are vital not only for the efficient administration of BWIs but also for limiting the growing wave of antibiotic resistance in hospital settings.