Objective: To examine the frequency of bacteriological organism present in pleural fluid, in patients positive with thoracic empyema, assessed on the basis of pus culture test.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration: Inpatient Department, Chest Medicine Ward 12, JPMC, Karachi, Pakistan for six months duration from 11 February 2019 to 10 August 2019.

Methodology: One hundred and thirty nine patients diagnosed with Thoracic Empyema were included in this study. All patients included in the study shall undergo Pus Culture Test prior to identify the presence or absence of bacterial organism. Those with positive bacterial findings (mainly Staph Aureus and gram negative organisms) were further assessed for stratification with reference to their possible variable affecters.

Results: There were 107 males and 32 females (%M: F ratio 77:23), with Empyema Thoracic, aged between 25-55 years and having a mean age of 36.28 year (± SD 8.206), were studied. The Pus Culture Test rate was 100% whereas duration of empyema was of average 18.38 days (± S.D 11.16). One hundred and four patients (74.82%) were carrying investigated bacteria which were staph. Aureus in 17 (12.50%) patients. GRAM NEGATIVE ORGANISMS in 87 (62.58%) patients. Echerea Coli in 12 (8.3%) patients, Pseudomonas. Aeruginosa in 46 (33.33%) patients, Klebseilla in 17(12.50%) patients, Enterococcus Species in 12 (8.3%) patients. While remaining thirty five patients (25.17%) were found to have other bacteria, including Streptococcus, Proteus Mirabillis and Acinobacter, responsible for Empyema.

Conclusion: It is concluded that 74.82% patients had bacteria and among them 62.58% patients had gram negative organism. Pseudomonas Aeruginosa was the most common organism followed by Klebseilla and staph. Aureus.

Keywords: Empyema, Thoracic, Pleural Effusion, Thoracentesis, Thoracostomy