1* Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Dr. B.S. Kushwah Institute of Medical Science, Lakhanpur, Kanpur Uttar Pradesh.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Varun Arjun Medical College and Rohilkhand Hospital, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Mahamaya Rajkiya Allopathic Medical College, Ambedkar Nagar
4 Professor & Head Blood Center, Department of Pathology, Mahamaya Rajkiya Allopathic Medical College, Ambedkar Nagar
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among Gram-negative pathogens has become a major challenge in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms and rising carbapenem resistance necessitate the evaluation of effective carbapenem-sparing therapeutic alternatives. This study assessed the in-vitro sensitivity profile of the ceftriaxone–sulbactam combination against Gram-negative bacterial isolates recovered from ICU patients in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology in collaboration with ICUs at Dr. B.S.K.I.M.S, Kanpur from December 2025 to May 2026. A total of 120 non-duplicate Gram-negative bacterial isolates obtained from blood, urine, respiratory specimens, pus/wound swabs, catheter tips, and body fluids were included. Isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. The sensitivity profile of ceftriaxone–sulbactam was evaluated and compared with other commonly used antibiotics. Results: Among the 120 ICU patients, 78 (65.0%) were male and 42 (35.0%) were female. The majority of patients belonged to the 51–60 years age group (31.7%). Urine samples constituted the largest proportion of specimens (31.7%), followed by respiratory samples (26.7%) and blood cultures (20.0%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated pathogen (35.0%), followed by Escherichia coli (25.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.3%), and Acinetobacter baumannii (15.0%). Overall sensitivity to ceftriaxone–sulbactam was 67.5% (81/120). The highest susceptibility was observed in Escherichia coli (80.0%) and Enterobacter spp. (80.0%), whereas Acinetobacter baumannii demonstrated the lowest sensitivity (50.0%). Comparative analysis revealed higher sensitivity rates for meropenem (85.0%), imipenem (83.3%), and amikacin (80.0%), while ciprofloxacin exhibited the lowest sensitivity (48.3%). Conclusion: Ceftriaxone–sulbactam demonstrated moderate in-vitro activity against Gram-negative ICU pathogens, with an overall sensitivity of 67.5%, suggesting its potential role as a carbapenem-sparing therapeutic option in selected infections. However, carbapenems and amikacin remained the most effective antimicrobial agents. Continuous surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and implementation of robust antibiotic stewardship programs are essential to optimize empirical therapy and limit the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms in ICU settings. .
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, Ceftriaxone–Sulbactam, Gram-negative bacteria, Intensive Care Unit, Antibiotic susceptibility, Carbapenem-sparing therapy, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli. .
How to cite this article: Srivastava R, Khan DM, Yadav AS, Kumar M. Sensitivity Profile of Ceftriaxone-Sulbactam Combination Against Gram-Negative ICU Pathogens in a Tertiary Care Hospital. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(61s):1423-1429. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.61s.160
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None.