Antibiotics sensitivity profile of proteus species associated with specific infections at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin

Abstract

Proteus is a prominent member of the family Enterobacteriaceae responsible for a variety of infections in human, such infections include urinary tract infection and many other opportunistic infections in human. The threat of antimicrobial resistance among important isolates is of great concern. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Proteus spp associated with its specific infections at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Ilorin. A retrospective review of cultures results of urine, wound swabs, ear and throat swabs were analysed. A total of 1,500 clinical samples were examined for identification of bacteria and their antimicrobial susceptibility. The greatest number of Proteus spp isolates were from wound swabs, 57.1%, followed by mid-stream urine 20.4%. Males were found to be more vulnerable than females in acquiring Proteus infections, 53.1% and 46.9% respectively. Results of the antimicrobial sensitivity testing showed that Imipenem and Piperacillin antibiotics were the most effective against Proteus sppwith each having 100%, followed by Ceftazidime 79.2%, and Ofloxacin 76.5%. The least effective antibiotic against Proteus was  Augmentin 58.1% sensitivity. It is therefore recommended that Imipenem and Piperacillin should be used in the treatment of Proteus infections, and where both are not affordable, Ceftazidime and Ofloxacin could be used in the study area for the treatment of infections caused by Proteus. Regular monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility is recommended.

Keywords: Proteus, infection, antibiotics, Sensitivity pattern