PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF BACTERIAL PATHOGENS ISOLATED FROM CLINICAL SAMPLES

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance has become a major public health concern, making the identification of prevalent bacterial pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns essential for effective treatment. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from clinical samples at THQ Hospital Takht Bhai, District Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Clinical specimens, including urine, blood, wound swabs, sputum, and other relevant samples, were collected from patients during the study period. Samples were processed using standard microbiological techniques for bacterial isolation and identification. The identified bacterial isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method against commonly prescribed antibiotics. The study demonstrated the presence of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, with variations in their prevalence among different clinical specimens. The isolated organisms showed variable susceptibility to the tested antibiotics, while resistance was observed against several commonly used antimicrobial agents. Differences in susceptibility patterns were also observed among bacterial species and clinical sample types. The findings highlight the importance of routine microbiological investigation and antibiotic susceptibility testing before antimicrobial therapy. Continuous surveillance of bacterial pathogens and their resistance patterns is essential for guiding appropriate antibiotic selection and supporting effective antimicrobial stewardship.