A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON THE ASSESSMENT OF ANTIMICROBIALS IN LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS

J. Yogitha, V. Sai Prasanna, *K. Sai Alekhya, K. Nandini, Dr. Ayesha Binth Saleh and Dr. Tapaswi Krishna P.

ABSTRACT

Background: Lower respiratory tract infection is a group of infections which affects the lungs and the lower
airways which is mainly caused by pathogens like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. LRTI is mainly treated with
antimicrobial agents which include a wide range of antibiotics, and antiviral drugs. Methodology: Our study was
carried out as a prospective observational study assessed at Gleneagles Aware Global hospital, Hyderabad for a
period of 6 months. Results: Within the study 165 individuals have been enlisted from which males were 62.45%
and females were 37.57%. The most common diagnosed LRTI was Pneumonia i.e., 44.84%. There is no significant
difference between smokers and non-smokers in severity of LRTI. In the analysis of ABG (arterial blood gases)
56.88% were found abnormal. Cefoperazone+sulbactam, doxycycline, azithromycin, piperacillin+tazobactam,
ceftriaxone was widely used in LRTI therapy. Conclusion: From our analysis we conclude that the age group of
56-75 were more suffered with LRTI. There is no significant difference in the severity of LRTI between normal
BMI and obese patients. Cefoperazone+sulbactam was the widely used antimicrobial agent. Combination of triple
antimicrobial therapy (36.96%), dual antimicrobial therapy (35.75%) and single antimicrobial therapy (27.27%) is
used for lower respiratory tract infections. The LHS was less (1-5 days) in people taking dual and triple
antimicrobial agents compared to patients taking single antimicrobial agents.

Keywords: Infection, LRTI, Antimicrobials, Oxygen therapy, Supportive care.