DRUG RESISTANCE PATTERNS AMONG COMMON PATHOGENS IN URBAN HOSPITALS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, particularly in densely populated urban settings where hospital-acquired infections are frequent. Urban tertiary care hospitals face heightened challenges in managing infections due to increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms, complicating treatment and escalating healthcare costs.

Objective: To assess the patterns of drug resistance among common bacterial pathogens isolated in urban hospital settings through a cross-sectional analysis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months across tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. Clinical samples from patients aged ≥18 years were processed to identify common pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and ANOVA. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Results: Among 425 isolates, the most prevalent were E. coli (28.2%) and K. pneumoniae (22.4%). MDR rates were highest in A. baumannii (76.4%) and K. pneumoniae (68.4%). Ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin showed the highest resistance across most Gram-negative isolates, while vancomycin remained largely effective against S. aureus (6.7% resistance). ICU departments exhibited the highest average resistance rate (74.3%). Resistance to meropenem and amikacin remained relatively low in comparison.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant burden of MDR pathogens in urban hospitals, emphasizing the urgent need for localized antimicrobial stewardship, enhanced infection control, and real-time resistance surveillance to guide effective treatment protocols.