Isolation and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiling of Non-Fermenting Gram-Negative Bacilli in Pus Samples

Abstract

This study is a survey of the frequency, spatial distribution and antimicrobial resistance analysis of the non-fermenting Gram negative bacilli (NFGNB) in pus samples of 350 patients, which were gathered from middle autumn day of 2024 (1st of October) to the beginning of Winter week of 2025 (15th of January) in Iraqi healthcare centers. Of 310 positive samples, we recovered 174 (49.7%) as NFGNBs, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (39.1%) and the Acinetobacter baumannii complex (24.1%), as well as Proteus mirabilis and Burkholderia cepacia isolated in lesser numbers. Its resistance level in P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii showed significant resistance levels of 58% and 83%, as well as 22% and 38% of the resistance level as with extensively drug resistance. Colistin in particular was 98% susceptible for P. aeruginosa. These findings underscore the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship and active monitoring of resistance in wound and pus infections.