Antibiogram Profiling of Antibiotics in Ear, Nose, and Throat Infections in Tertiary Healthcare Settings

Abstract

IntroductionAntibiotic resistance is an emerging threat in tertiary healthcare settings, with increased usage of antibiotics on patients having ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infections, the bacterial strains are becoming resistant to its treatment causing antibiotic resistance and ineffective treatment. This study focuses on the antibiogram profiling of bacterial pathogens by the conventional disc diffusion method in a tertiary healthcare setting and the recent method using a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization timeof-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) to identify bacterial strains isolated from infections of the ENT. Materials and methodsSwab samples were collected from patients with ENT infections and were subjected to bacteriological and proteomic studies to assess the status of drug-resistant pathogens. About 125 samples were subjected to an antimicrobial susceptibility test by disc diffusion, and the bacterial isolates were screened on MALDI-TOF for identification. ResultThe study identified beta-hemolytic Streptococci as the most prevalent bacterial species, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. MALDI-TOF analysis yielded high identification accuracy for beta-hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes, and the antibiogram profile of bacterial isolates indicated that most of the bacteria are resistant to penicillin, amoxicillin, and chloramphenicol. ConclusionThe study emphasized the importance of appropriate antibiotic selection in treating ENT infections, considering local antibiograms and understanding antibiotic resistance patterns. This shall aid clinicians in choosing effective antibiotics, reducing treatment failure, and preventing the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Overall, the research provides valuable insights into antibiotic resistance in ENT infections.