Gram Negative Bacilli (GNB) Isolated from Sputum Samples of Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and the Prevalence of Extended Spectrum Β Lactamase (ESβl) Enzyme Producing Strains

Background Lower Respiratory Tract Infections LRTI are a common infectious disease of the respiratory tract that are prevalent worldwide affecting all the age groups. This includes a broad description of infections like pneumonia acute bronchitis and has been one of the important cause of morbidity and mortality. The common gram negative bacilli GNB isolated from sputum samples were Klebsiella pneumonia E. coli Pseudomonas aeruginosa Acinetobacter baumanii Haemophilus influenzae. Extended Spectrum beta Lactamase ESbetaL is an enzyme produced by GNB like E. coli K. pneumoniae K. oxytoca P. mirabilis that acquire the ability to degrade third and fourth generation cephalosporins and monobactams.Methods Early morning sputum sample was collected from patients diagnosed with LRTI. The sample collected was transported to the laboratory immediately and processed as per the standard operative procedure for sputum sample processing. Special reference was given to gram negative bacilli isolated from the samples. Antibiotic susceptibility test using Kirby Bauerrsquos method was performed and ESbetaL production was noted by disc approximation method.Results A total of 50 samples from patients diagnosed with LRTI were processed out of which 18 exhibited growth. K. pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated organism 77 followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 22. Out of the seven isolates in K. pneumoniae five were ESbetaL producers. The prevalence of LRTI was highest in patients above 65 years and least in patients aged 25-45 years.Conclusion Increased incidence of multi-drug resistance MDR amp ESbetaL strains necessitates bacteriology research diagnostic capacity and surveillance of antibiotic resistance. Routine screening for ESbetaL production and strong infection prevention strategies are very important in health care settings.