Bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibility profile of superficial and deep-seated skin and soft tissue infections

BACKGROUND: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are caused by microbial invasion of healthy or damaged skin. SSTIs are difficult to manage and contribute to chronicity and emergence of antimicrobial resistance. OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the prevalence of bacteria causing SSTIs and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. METHODS: A prospective study between November 2020 and May 2021. A total of 447 samples from SSTIs were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 347 samples revealed mono-bacterial growth, of which 67% were male. SSTIs are common among patients aged 21–50 years with the dominance (78%) of gram-negative rods (GNRs). Escherichia coli (36%), Klebsiella spp. (22%), Staphylococcus aureus (16%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%) were predominant organisms. GNRs were highly resistant (>65%) to ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. For injectable antibiotics, the highest resistance was determined against ceftriaxone, and the least resistance was determined against amikacin. Resistance against carbapenem was the highest among P. aeruginosa (53%) and Klebsiella spp. (32%). S. aureus showed the highest resistance against ciprofloxacin, and the least resistance was determined against clindamycin. Of 57 S. aureus isolates, 86% isolates were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). All isolates of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were sensitive to polymyxin B and vancomycin, respectively. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant E. coli and Klebsiella spp. was higher among deep-seated SSTIs (dSSTIs). CONCLUSIONS: The predominant etiology of SSTIs is GNR. Currently, there is very high resistance against oral antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance against carbapenem has also increased. Moreover, there is a high frequency of MRSA. MDR E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates are frequently involved in dSSTIs.