International Surgery Journal | March 2025 | Vol 12 | Issue 3 Page 368 International Surgery Journal Shah N et al. Int Surg J. 2025 Mar;12(3):368-371 http://www.ijsurgery.com pISSN 2349-3305 | eISSN 2349-2902 Original Research Article A one-year cross sectional study of peritoneal fluid cultures and antibiotic sensitivity patterns in cases of surgical peritonitis Nidhi Shah, Mehnish Malik, S. Deoleker, P. S. Eswar, Zulekha Bhimani* INTRODUCTION Peritonitis, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by inflammation of the peritoneal cavity, represents a critical medical emergency that demands prompt recognition and decisive management. This condition can arise from a multitude of underlying etiologies, including perforated viscus, appendicitis, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, and post-operative complications. 1 Surgical peritonitis, a subset of peritonitis that necessitates surgical intervention, poses a formidable challenge to healthcare professionals and carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. 2 The effective management of surgical peritonitis hinges upon the timely administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy, which is guided by the identification of the causative microbial pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. 3 In this context, peritoneal fluid culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing play a pivotal role, as they provide invaluable insights to guide empiric and definitive antimicrobial therapy, thereby optimizing patient outcomes. 4 The microbial etiology of surgical peritonitis is diverse and multifaceted, with variations observed depending on a range of factors, including the underlying cause, patient demographics, geographic location, and healthcare settings. 5 Gram-negative organisms, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are commonly implicated in community- ABSTRACT Background: Surgical peritonitis is a serious complication with significant morbidity and mortality. Understanding the microbiological profile and antibiotic sensitivity patterns is crucial for optimal management. This study aimed to evaluate the peritoneal fluid cultures and antibiotic sensitivity patterns in cases of surgical peritonitis. Methods: This was a hospital-based prospective study conducted at D. Y. Patil University School of Medicine, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, over a one-year period. Patients presenting with peritonitis were included, and peritoneal fluid samples were collected during surgery for microbiological analysis. Antibiotic treatment was guided by the culture and sensitivity results. Results: A total of 50 patients were enrolled. The most common etiologies were appendicitis (32%), diverticulitis perforation (24%), and perforated duodenal/peptic ulcers (44%). The predominant pathogens isolated from peritoneal fluid cultures were E. coli (16%), Bacteroides fragilis (14%), S. aureus (14%), and Streptococcus anginosus (14%). Antibiotic sensitivity patterns revealed high susceptibility to multiple antibiotics for E. coli, Bacteroides fragilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. However, Enterococcus faecalis exhibited concerning resistance to vancomycin and linezolid. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the microbiology and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of pathogens involved in surgical peritonitis cases. The findings can inform empiric antimicrobial treatment strategies and guide antibiotic stewardship efforts in the management of this serious condition. Keywords: Surgical peritonitis, Peritoneal fluid cultures, Antibiotic sensitivity, Microbiology, Antimicrobial resistance Department of General Surgery, Dr. D. Y. Patil School of Medicine, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Received: 22 December 2024 Revised: 23 January 2025 Accepted: 31 January 2025 *Correspondence: Dr. Zulekha Bhimani, E-mail: zulekhabhimani10@gmail.com Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20250570