Introduction: Infection caused by Non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria (NFGNB) like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii leads to life-threatening conditions. These bacteria are often multidrug-resistant which leads to limited therapeutic options leading to treatment failure. Little information is available regarding the prevalence and resistance pattern of such bacteria in our country. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of multidrug-resistant among non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria isolated in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care centre.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care centre from 1 September 2021 to 30 August 2022 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. All samples received in the Microbiology laboratory for diagnostic purposes were included. A convenience sampling method was used. The point estimated was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval.
Results: Among 412 non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria, multidrug resistance was observed in 373 (90.53%) (87.70-93.36, 95% Confidence Interval) isolates. Among 373 isolates, Acinetobacter baumannii was 253 (67.83%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 120 (32.17%).
Conclusions: The prevalence of multidrug-resistant non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria was found to be higher than in the study conducted in similar settings.
Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; antibiotic; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; prevalence.