Pattern of antibiotics sensitivity and bacterial profile in uncomplicated acute appendicitis

Abstract

Acute appendicitis is a common cause of urgent abdominal surgery, with bacterial involvement playing a significant role in both obstructive and catarrhal forms; however, limited studies have explored the bacterial profile and antibiotic sensitivity in uncomplicated  cases. This study aimed to determine the bacterial profile and antibiotic sensitivity patterns in acute uncomplicated appendicitis in an  African community. A cross-sectional study was conducted over 12 months, involving 100 adult patients clinically diagnosed with acute  appendicitis who underwent appendectomy. Intraluminal and periappendiceal swabs were collected for bacterial microscopy, culture,  and antibiotic sensitivity testing, alongside histological examination of appendiceal specimens; patients with complicated appendicitis  were excluded. The predominant aerobic bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli (39.1%), Klebsiella spp (15.4%), and Proteus spp (8.3%),  while anaerobic isolates included Bacteroides spp (14.1%), anaerobic streptococci (10.3%), and Clostridium welchi (3.2%). Aerobic bacteria  showed high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin (78.8%), ceftriaxone (63.5%), meropenem (62.3%), and piperacillin-tazobactam (55.8%),  but resistance to cotrimoxazole and amikacin (88.5%). Anaerobes demonstrated 93.5% sensitivity to metronidazole. In conclusion, E. coli,  Klebsiella spp, and Bacteroides spp were the predominant organisms, with sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and metronidazole, respectively, and no correlation was found between clinical features and bacterial patterns in acute uncomplicated appendicitis.