The study of Non-Tuberculous
Aerobic bacterial and fungal profile of Lower Respiratory tract infection in Tertiary
Care Centre
Euphrasia Latha J., Sinduja S., Renuga S. and Arumai A.S.
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(11); 54-59;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/2011rjbt054059; (2025)
Abstract
Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) cause significant morbidity and mortality,
complicated by rising antimicrobial resistance and fungal co-infections. This prospective
study at a tertiary care centre in Chennai analyzed 200 LRTI specimens for aerobic
bacterial and fungal pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility. Klebsiella pneumoniae
(57.5%) was the predominant bacterium, followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (19.8%)
and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.9%). Carbapenem resistance occurred in 34% of Gram-negative
isolates, with Acinetobacter showing the highest rates.
Colistin resistance was found in 2.5% of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella. Carbapenemase
production was confirmed in 60% and metallo-β-lactamase in 40% of Klebsiella tested.
Fungal growth was detected in 15.5% of samples, mainly Aspergillus fumigatus among
filamentous fungi. Eight cases had bacterial-fungal co-infections. The study underscores
the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship and accurate microbial diagnosis to
improve LRTI management and control multidrug resistance.
