European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background:Citrobacter species  are  frequent nosocomial  pathogens , a local  or  systemic breach in the host defences can allow them to cause a range of infections which  include urinary tract  infections , neonatal  sepsis , pulmonary  infections , meningitis  and blood stream infections.Citrobacter species are emerging as important nosocomial pathogens . Citrobacter infections are associated with high mortality rate.
Objectives: To determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. To detect extended spectrum beta lactamase producing species.
Material and Methods: Various clinical samples received in the central lab of IGIMS  Hospital , Patna Bihar. Identification will be   done   by   using   standard   microbiological   techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility test will be performed by Kirby-Bauer   Disc   diffusion method. Test strains will be pre-incubated in peptone water at 37^oC at an optical density of 0.5McFarland standard. This   suspension   will   be   used   to   inoculate strains onto Muller Hinton agar plate by   swabbing   them   with   a   sterile   cotton swab and performing culture as recommended by clinical and laboratory standards institute . The antibiotic discs used for sensitivity testing will be obtained from Hi-Media , India , which will be used to study the sensitivity pattern.
Conclusion: The magnitude of Citrobacter infections has increased over time considering its potential to cause nosocomial infections and the growing numbers of immunocompromised patients in hospitals. C.koseri and C.freundii being the commonest species isolated. They are usually isolated from patients with wound infections, urinary tract infections , respiratory infections and bacteremia. The emergence of drug resistance among the Citrobacter is noteworthy.