CLINICOMICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY OF INFECTIONS DUE TO CITROBACTER SPECIES

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Dr. Sevitha Bhat,
Flat 102, Meadows,
Mannagudda Road,
Ballalbagh,
Mangalore, Karnataka.
E-mail: sevitha@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Citrobacter species have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens. The infections caused by this organism include UTI, wound infection, Neonatal sepsis, pulmonary infection, brain abscess, meningitis. The organism is recovered from a variety of clinical specimen including pus, urine, sputum. Antibiotic resistance is on rise among the Citrobacter spp. The present study was taken up to study the infections and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Citrobacter spp. in our setup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 40 isolates of Citrobacter spp. isolated from a variety of clinical samples. Citrobacter spp. isolated were speciated using biochemical reactions. The antibiotic sensitivity testing was done by Modified Kirby-Bauer method. The risk factors associated were noted from the case records. RESULTS: Of the 40 isolates of Citrobacter species, 8 were identified as Citrobacter freundii, 18 as Citrobacter koseri, 14 as other species of Citrobacter. Of the 40 isolates, 25 were monomicrobial and the other 15 were polymicrobial. Majority of the Citrobacter isolates were from pus and Diabetes mellitus was the important risk factor. CONCLUSION: The infections are usually nosocomially acquired and are more commonly seen in patients with underlying risk factors. The incidence of these infections in hospital could be reduced by strict adherence to infection control practices and antibiotic policy.

KEYWORDS: Citrobacter spp., Risk factors, Antibiotic resistance.