Prevalence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> isolates in surgical units of Ahmadu Bello University teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria: An indication for effective control measures

Abstract

Background: Multiple antibiotic resistance in bacteria populations is currently one of the greatest challenges to the effective management of infections. Constant bacteriological monitoring of pathogens in the hospital in general and specialized units is necessary to provide accurate data on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of specific pathogens.


Method: All clinical samples from the surgical units of ABUTH, Zaria over a 24-month period were processed and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates characterized and identified using standard microbiological procedures. The antibiotic susceptibility of isolates and a standard strain to ceftazidime, amikacin, gentamicin, imipenem, ciprofloxacin and perfloxacin was determined by the disk diffusion method.


Results: A total of 1,452 clinical specimens were processed and 878 pathogenic bacteria isolated within the study period. There were 92 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, giving a prevalence level of 10.5%. Most of the isolates were from urine (51.1%) and wounds (41.3%). A total of 18/92 (19.6%) of the isolates were resistant to three or more of the antibiotics tested, with the most prevalent resistance pattern being ceftazidime+gentamicin+perfloxacin+ofloxacin (27.8%).


Conclusion: There is need for instituting an antimicrobial resistance surveillance system that provides clinicians with up-to-date data on the prevalence and resistance pattern of commonly encountered pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.


Key Words: Psuedomonas aeruginosa, drug resistance, surgical units


Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(1 ) 2004: 13-16