Objectives: Antibiotics resistance among bacteria is a worldwide problem. The situation in developing countries like Ethiopia is particularly serious. Since the presence of drug resistant bacteria in the environment are threat for public health, up-to-date information on local pathogens and drug sensitivity pattern is very crucial to treat patients. The aim of this study is to assess the pattern of bacterial pathogens from wound infection and their susceptibility to common antibiotics.
Materials and methods: This laboratory based retrospective study of 151 wound swabs and sensitivity tests was conducted in Bacteriology Laboratory of the University of Gondar Teaching Hospital. The samples were collected and processed following standard microbiological techniques as part of the routine clinical management of the patient. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done on pure culture isolates employing disc-diffusion method for the commonly used antibiotics.
Results: Bacterial pathogens were isolated from 79 patients showing an isolation rate of 52%. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant species 65% (51/79) followed by Escherichia coli, 8/79 (10%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 9% (7/79), Proteus species 4% (3/79) and Streptococci species 4% (3/7). Among Gram-positive bacteria, S. aureus showed high level of drug resistance against penicillin 59% (30/51), tetracycline 57% (29/51), ampicillin 55% (28/51) and co-trimoxazole 35% (18/51). E. coli was found to be resistant to ampicillin in 87% (7/8), tetracycline also in 87% (7/8) and co-trimoxazole 63% (5/8). The over all multiple drug resistance patterns were found to be 78.5%.
Conclusions: The frequency of single as well as multiple drug resistance is alarmingly high. This might be a reflection of inappropriate use of antimicrobials, lack of diagnostic laboratory services or unavailability of guideline regarding the selection of drugs. Thus, rational use of drugs should be practiced.