The Pre - Eminence of Staphylococcus Aureus as The Causative Agent in Superficial Lesions, Aspirates And Secretions at a Tertiary Health Care Institution in Nigeria

Abstract

A range of infections is caused by Staphylococcal organisms prominent among them are nosocomial superficial infections manifesting as abscesses, furuncles, and wound infections. The study objective is to determine the degree to which Staphylococcus aureus is a cause of such lesions in a tertiary health care institution in Nigeria. The study which was prospective and cross-sectional involved participants who were patients seen at the various facilities in a tertiary healthcare institution. There were 832 patients made up of 336 (40.3%) males, 201 (24.2%) females and 295 (35.5%) children. Specimens, which were consecutively obtained, consisted of swabs from wounds, burns, abscesses, aspirates and secretions. Specimens were collected for culture and sensitivity before commencement of antibiotic therapy. The major isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus. Others were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris Proteus rettgerri, Alkaligenes faecalis, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Candida albicans. Six specimens did not yield growth. The in-vitro susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to ofloxacin, ceftazidime ,amoxicillin clavulanate and gentamycin was impressive While susceptibility to ceftriazone, cloxacillin, oxacillin and lincomycin was low. The organism was moderately susceptible to cefuroxime and 72.8% to vancomycin. The growing resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to many antimicrobial agents and especially to the penicillins and the cephalosporins is a cause for concern. Some measures were suggested for the control of Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Keywords: staphylococcus aureus, superficial lesions, antibiotics