Abstract: Introduction: Surgical site infections (SSIs) remains one of the most critical health-related infections causing discomfort, extended hospital stay with elevated costs, cosmetically inappropriate wounds, resulting in patients' miserable state. The present study was to determine the bacterial spectrum of surgical site infections with special reference to methicillin resistance
Stahylococcus aureus.
Materials and Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted at Vinayaka missions Medical College and Hospital by Department of General Surgery in association with the Department of Microbiology for a period of three months from October 2019 to December 2019. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire for a time period of three month. Samples were collected from suspected SSIs and sent to clinical microbiology for bacterial identification. Methicillin resistance Stahylococcus aureus (MRSA) was identified by disc diffusion technique.
Results: A total of 762 surgeries were conducted during the study period. Out of 762 surgeries, 137 patients developed signs of surgical site infection and accounted for 17.98% surgical site infection rate. Specimens were collected from all suspected cases of surgical site infection. A total of 109 specimens yielded growth of 133 bacteria. Stahylococcus aureus was the most common bacteria isolated from surgical site infections which accounted for 33%. Overall MRSA was accounted for 14%. All MRSA isolates were found to be susceptible to Vancomycin (100%).
Conclusion: In the present study, overall surgical site infection rate was 17.98%. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most common bacterial pathogen isolated from SSIs. MRSA is a key problem, since there are limited treatment options for such resistant strains.
