title: Prevalence and Susceptibility Pattern of Multi Drug Resistant Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Karachi.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency and susceptibility pattern of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens in Karachi.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross sectional study was conducted in Microbiology Department, University of Karachi, from January 2012 to January 2013. Clinical specimens were collected from different hospitals of Karachi. Clinical isolates were identified by standard and specific microbiological methods. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined by Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion method. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines were used to determine the results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of MDR P. aeruginosa isolated from different clinical specimens was found to be 30%. Amikacin was found to be the most effective antibiotic, followed by Co-trimaxazole and Quinolones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antibiotic resistant P. aeruginosa are emerging as a critical human health issue. There is an urgent need to resolve the issue by taking some preventive measures. Combined efforts of health care professionals and researchers are required to educate people about the proper use of antibiotics and other infection control measures.
authors.affiliation: Fouzia Khan, MBBS, M.Phil, Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, Karachi- 75270, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Fouzia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Adnan Khan, PhD, Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, Karachi- 75270, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Shahana Urooj Kazmi, PhD, Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, Karachi- 75270, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahana Urooj
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Kazmi
keywords: Amikacin; Co-trimaxazole; Multi Drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Quinolones