Abstract            Volume:14  Issue-1  Year-2026         Original Research Articles

Online ISSN : 2347 - 3215 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcret@gmail.com

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious threat to effective treatment of bacterial infections, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Continuous local surveillance of bacterial pathogens and resistance patterns is essential to guide empirical therapy and antimicrobial stewardship. This study aimed to determine the bacterial spectrum and antibiotic resistance patterns among clinical isolates obtained from diverse clinical specimens in Nashik City, Maharashtra. A cross-sectional, laboratory-based study was conducted from January 2023 to December 2024. Clinical specimens including urine, pus, blood, sputum, stool, swabs, catheter tips, pleural fluid, biopsy material, semen, breast milk, endo wash, and bronchial fluid were processed using standard microbiological methods. Bacterial identification was performed using culture characteristics, Gram staining, and biochemical tests as per ICMR guidelines and Bergey’s Manual. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method following CLSI guidelines. Total of 221 bacterial isolates were recovered. Gram-negative bacteria predominated. Staphylococcus spp. (28.96%) was the most frequent isolate, followed by Escherichia coli (19.91%) and Pseudomonas spp. (12.67%). High resistance was observed to penicillins and cephalosporins. Carbapenem resistance was notable among Acinetobacter spp., while fluoroquinolone resistance was widespread across multiple pathogens. The study highlights a high burden of antimicrobial resistance among clinical isolates in Nashik City, emphasizing the need for routine surveillance, rational antibiotic use, and strengthened antimicrobial stewardship programs.

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