Incidence of <i>Proteus</i> species in wound infections and their sensitivity pattern in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Proteus species are frequently recovered from infected wounds. They contaminate wounds and thus cause infections. This study was carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) to determine the involvement of Proteus species as one of the major causative organisms in wound infections. The study also determined the sensitivity pattern of the Proteus isolates. This was a prospective and cross-sectional study. Wound swabs and aspirates from various parts of the body and consisting of accidental, pathological and post-operative wounds were collected from patients who attended the clinics at the UBTH and examined by standard bacteriological methods. All isolates were tested for sensitivity against ciprofloxacin 5 µg, gentamycin 10 µg, streptomycin 10 µg, ofloxacin 5 mg/µg, chloramohenicol 10 µg, erythromycin 10 µg and tetracycline 10 µg. Of the 400 wound samples from various parts of the body 390 (97.5%) yielded growths and produced 560 isolates. Ten samples (2.5%) yielded no growths. Proteus species accounted for 150 (26.8%) of the isolates. Proteus mirabilis was the Proteus species most commonly isolated, 97 (17.3%), Proteus vulgaris 40 (7.1%), Proteus rettgeri 8 (1.40%), and Proteus morgagni 5 (0.9%). All the isolates were sensitive to ciprofoxacin, ofloxacin and gentamycin while all were resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin. Knowledge of the microbial flora of an environment and the sensitivity pattern are important tools in the management of wound infections especially those caused by Proteus species, and are also useful in formulating rational antibiotic policy.