Bacterial Agents of Surgical Site Infections in South-Western Nigeria

¹ Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

² Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Nigeria

³ Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria

^*Corresponding author:

Dr. Olufunmilola Bamidele Makanjuola.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology,

University of Ibadan,

P.O. Box 10314, G.P.O. Dugbe, Ibadan, Nigeria. 200001

Nigeria

Tel: +2348034731717

E-mail: funmifemi@yahoo.com

Abstract

Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) are risks associated with surgical procedures and represent a significant burden in terms of morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Appropriate antibiotic therapy is required to reduce this burden. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial agents responsible for these infections and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in order to guide the initiation of empirical therapy. Two hundred samples from surgical sites were collected over a six-month period. They were examined microscopically and cultured aerobically. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. One hundred and sixty (160) bacterial isolates were recovered from culture of samples from surgical site infection. The predominant organism was Escherichia coli, 52(32.5%). Others were Staphylococcus aureus 46(28.75%; Pseudomonas aeruginosa 26 (16.25%); Proteus species 18(11.25%); Klebsiella species 14(8.75%); Enterococcus species (1.25%) and α-haemolytic Streptococci (1.25%). SSIs were most prevalent among Obstetrics and Gynaecology patients. Bacterial growth was 100% at the extremes of ages. The isolates were highly resistant to Erythromycin, Amoxycillin, Cotrimoxazole and Tetracycline, but susceptible to Ceftriaxone, Ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin. Fluoroquinolones and Cephalosporins are the drugs of choice in the treatment of surgical site infections in this environment.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance, nosocomial infection, surgical site infections.

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