DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sasjm.2025.v11i12.009

Pages: 1190-1196

Background: Bloodstream infections in febrile neutropenia represent a major clinical threat due to rapid progression and increasing antimicrobial resistance. Local susceptibility data are essential for optimizing empirical therapy. This study aimed to determine antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bloodstream isolates recovered from febrile neutropenic patients in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Internal Medicine, Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital, Kishoreganj, Bangladesh, from October 2022 to September 2023. A total of 50 adult febrile neutropenic patients with complete blood culture and susceptibility results were included. Blood cultures were obtained aseptically, processed on standard media and isolates identified via Gram stain and colony morphology. Susceptibility was tested by disc diffusion. Clinical and demographic data were recorded. Results: Among 50 patients, 15 (30%) had positive blood cultures. Gram-positive organisms accounted for 53.3% of isolates, predominantly Staphylococcus epidermidis, while Gram-negative organisms accounted for 46.7%, mainly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram-positive isolates demonstrated uniform susceptibility to vancomycin and linezolid but variable susceptibility to β-lactams. Pseudomonas isolates showed 60% sensitivity to meropenem, imipenem, amikacin and piperacillin-tazobactam, with lower susceptibility to ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin. An ESBL-producing E. coli strain displayed sensitivity only to colistin. Prior antibiotic use showed a trend toward reduced culture positivity. Conclusion: Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns revealed significant resistance among Gram-negative isolates and preserved susceptibility of Gram-positive organisms to glycopeptides and linezolid. These findings support the need for updated local guidelines and ongoing microbiological surveillance.