DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i03.060

Pages: 1173-1177

Klebsiella pneumoniae has become one of the common causes of Lower Respiratory Tract infection, the most important aspect being emergence of drug resistant strains resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. This study was undertaken to analyze the Antimicrobial resistance pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from adult patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infection, so as to establish the current therapeutic options available for treatment in this geographical area of North East India. A total of 500 pulmonary samples were included in this study and processed for isolation & identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae by standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility test of the isolated strains were performed by Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion method and interpreted as per CLSI guidelines. Culture positivity rate for Klebsiella pneumoniae was found to be 22.8% and were predominant in male and elderly patients. Only 8.77% isolates were resistant to Amikacin, followed by Gentamicin (15.78%), Levofloxacin (17.54%) and Imipenem (24.56%). Higher level of resistance was observed with Cefuroxime (75.43%), Ceftazidime (49.12%), Cefepime (45.61%) and Ciprofloxacin (37.28%). The Aminoglycosides and Levofloxacin may be considered as drugs of choice for treatment of infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in our healthcare setting. As 61.4% of the isolates were recovered from hospitalized patients, more emphasis on strict adherence to hospital infection control guidelines and antibiotic policy is utmost recommended.