Abstract
Prevalence Of Resistance To Beta-Lactam Antibiotics Among Respiratory Tract Isolates In A Hospital Situation
Antimicrobial resistance is a serious global issue. Since only empirical therapy with antibiotics is widely followed in India, it is helpful that the treating doctors haw information on the prevalence of microbial resistance to the commonly prescribed antibiotics for various infections. A study of the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among respiratory tract isolates was conducted in a secondary care Government hospital in Tamil Nadu in order to gauge the existing level of antimicrobial resistance. Out of 154 isolates obtained, 138 possessed seven types of pathogenic microorganisms. This study has revealed that there exists a high level of resistance to penicillins like ampicillin, methicillin and cloxacillin and the first generation cephalosporin, cephalexin. Third generation cephalosporins, ceftriaxzone and ceftazidime, were effective against the organisms isolated.