International Clinical and Medical Case Reports Journal (ISSN: 2832-5788) | Volume 5, Issue 6 | Research Article | Open Access DOI
Syed Afzal Uddin Biyabani*
Zunera Fatima1, Syed Afzal Uddin Biyabani2*, Pooja V Salimath2, Vanishree P Babladi2, Hafsa Naema2, Sachin Patil3
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Deccan School of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
2Department of Pharmacy Practice, Matoshree Taradevi Rampure Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
3Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sharnbasva University, Kalaburagi. Karnataka, India
*Correspondence to: Syed Afzal Uddin Biyabani
Fulltext PDFBackground: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in intensive care units (ICUs) is driven by high antibiotic exposure, invasive procedures, severe illness, and frequent circulation of multidrug-resistant organisms. ICU-specific antibiograms can support empirical therapy, optimize stewardship, and improve outcomes.
Objective: To characterize microbial epidemiology, define antimicrobial resistance burden, construct an ICU antibiogram, and identify sensitive agents that may support empirical therapy.
Methods: A prospective observational microbiology-based study was conducted among 100 critically ill patients admitted to a tertiary care ICU. Culture and sensitivity reports were analysed to determine organism distribution, gram-stain epidemiology, resistance burden, susceptibility patterns, and disease-specific antibiograms. Descriptive analysis, resistance comparisons, and exploratory associations were performed.
Results: Gram-negative organisms predominated (79.1%), while gram-positive organisms accounted for 20.9%. E. coli (38.18%) was the most common isolate, followed by Klebsiella species (23.63%) and Pseudomonas species. Meropenem, amikacin, gentamicin, and piperacillin–tazobactam showed higher sensitivity profiles, whereas ampicillin, cefepime, ceftriaxone, and cotrimoxazole demonstrated substantial resistance. Resistance burden was highest for cephalosporins (31%) and penicillins (29%). Disease-specific antibiograms suggested E. coli predominance in urinary tract infections, Pseudomonas in sepsis, and Klebsiella in pneumonia.
Conclusion: ICU-specific resistance burden is driven predominantly by gram-negative pathogens, supporting the importance of local antibiogram-guided empirical therapy, stewardship interventions, and resistance surveillance.
Antibiogram, Antimicrobial resistance, Critical care, Gram-negative infections, ICU microbiology
Zunera Fatima, Syed Afzal Uddin Biyabani, Pooja V Salimath, Vanishree P Babladi, Hafsa Naema, Sachin Patil. Microbiological Spectrum, Antimicrobial Resistance Burden, and Antibiogram Profile among Critically Ill Patients in a Tertiary Care ICU. Int Clinc Med Case Rep Jour. 2026;5(6):1-11.