Descriptive Assessment Of General Patterns Of Multidrug Resistance Observed In Various Dermatological Conditions Across Patient Groups
A Rehmana b, BA Mohammedc, Areeba Sajjadd e, Sidrah Hafeezf, Sajjad Ahmadg, Muhammad Jawadh, Badeea Farrukhi
- aMedical Officer, District Health Office Killa Saifullah
- bMBBS, Mekran Medical College, Turbat, Pakistan
- cBolan Medical College, Quetta, Pakistan
- dDepartment of Pharmacy, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- eFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
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Abstract
Background: Multidrug resistance (MDR) in dermatological infections is an increasing clinical and public health concern, particularly in settings where empirical antimicrobial prescribing, self-medication, and limited routine culture testing may contribute to resistant disease. Objective: To determine the prevalence and distribution of MDR among microbiologically confirmed dermatological infections across patient groups in South Punjab. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over four months in outpatient dermatology clinics and tertiary healthcare facilities across South Punjab. A total of 384 patients with confirmed microbial skin infections were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured proforma, and skin swabs, scrapings, or biopsy specimens were processed using standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, and MDR was defined as resistance to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial classes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results: The mean age was 38.6 ± 15.2 years, with equal male and female representation. Rural residents accounted for 62.0% of participants. Overall, MDR was identified in 196 of 384 patients (51.0%). Mixed infections showed the highest MDR proportion (58.8%), followed by bacterial (55.8%), parasitic (47.4%), and fungal infections (44.3%). Adults aged 18–40 years contributed the largest number of MDR cases (82/146; 56.2%). Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest pathogen-specific MDR rate (68/104; 65.4%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (42/68; 61.8%). Conclusion: MDR was frequent among dermatological infections in South Punjab, particularly in mixed and bacterial infections and among common bacterial pathogens. Culture-guided therapy, rational antimicrobial use, and regional resistance surveillance are essential to improve dermatological infection management.