BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter species are one of the most frequent nosocomial pathogen causing bacteremia, urinary tract infection, secondary meningitis, skin and soft tissue infections and in particular nosocomial pneumonia with high mortality rate. The infections due to these are often difficult to treat due to their high antibiotic resistance. AIMS: To Study the prevalence and resistance pattern of Acinetobacter species in hospitalized patients of Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital (ELMCH), Lucknow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total number of 1850 samples were taken from patients admitted in wards of different Departments of ELMCH from Sep 2012 to Sep 2013. Identification of isolates was done by colony characteristics and biochemical reactions. The resistance patterns of these isolates were studied using various antibiotics by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test as per CLSI (Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute) guidelines. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 46 isolates were identified as Acinetobacter species. High level of resistance was observed for most of the antibiotics tested. More than 80% of isolates were resistant to amikacin, gentamycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. 30.43% of isolates were resistant to cefoperazone/sulbactum and resistance to imipenem and colistin was 23.91% and 19.56% respectively. Acinetobacter species has become a worldwide concern as a cause of serious nosocomial infections. The emergence of increasingly resistant strains causing such infections has become a public health problem. Their early detection is necessary for timely implementation of strict infection control practices and judicious treatment with susceptible antimicrobials.

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