Molecular Characterization of Isolated Multidrug Resistant Bacteria from Tertiary Care Hospitals of Ahmedabad: Comparison between Pre-Covid-19 and Current Scenario

Background: Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) are a major concern for healthcare setups, as it increases the overall cost of treatment, patients stay in hospitals making them susceptible to secondary and tertiary infections, and in few unfortunate cases HAIs result in mortality.

Purpose: To prevent or control HAIs, the process of evaluating the organisms isolated from the critically maintained area is considered of epitome importance and everlasting practice in the healthcare industry. Identifying such organisms and screening them for antibiotic resistance is not only mandatory; but it also helps professionals to understand trends of colonization, if any.

Methods: Sensitive areas of healthcare setups were screened on a monthly basis from years 2017 to 2020. Total of 4400 samples of hospital hygiene were collected. Multidrug-resistant organisms were subjected to molecular characterization to detect the presence of carbapenem genes.

Results: Evaluation data of both, pre and during Corona Virus Disease COVID-19 era were compared. And it was found that the prevalence of pathogenic and/or non-pathogenic strains in healthcare setups decreased drastically. It is possible only because of the awareness generated in laymen as well as healthcare workers due to unforeseen critical situation ultimately proving to be a blessing for the future generation. Keywords: Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs); OT; ICU; Pathogen; Microbiology surveillance; Carbapenem resistance