Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of community acquired and nosocomial isolates of Escherichia coli from clinical blood culture specimens at a Nigerian university teaching hospital

Objective:To ascertain the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Escherichia coli recovered from blood culture specimens in Calabar.Nigeria.Methods:The study was retrospective in nature and was carried out at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital(UCTH) Calabar.Data generated from blood culture specimens over a five year period(Feb.2004-Feb.2009) was compiled, relevant information such as age,sex,organism recovered and antibiotic susceptibility patterns were obtained from patients records.Samples were collected,transported,stored and processed using standard laboratory procedures.Data obtained was analysed using Epi Info 6 statistical software.Results:Escherichia coli was responsible for 15.3%(31/203) of the blood infections being the third most common microorganism encountered.The community acquired(CA) isolates of the organism were significantly less resistant(P【0.05),compared to the nosocomial(NC) isolates against ampicillin.cloxacillin,amoxicillin,tetracycline,co-trimoxazole.chloramphenicol and erythromycin.The sensitivity of both the NC and CA isolates of Escherichia coli to amikacin, augmentin,ofloxacin,ciprofloxacin,ceftazidime,cefuroxime,ceftriaxone and rifampicin was generally high(80-100%) with no significant difference(P】0.05).Majority(】95.0%) of the NC isolates of Escherichia coli were resistant to six of the antibiotics tested.Conclusions:Control mechanisms for hospital acquired infections should be stepped up so as lo limit the spread of the highly resistant bacterial strains.Also the sale and consumption of antibiotics by the public need to be regulated.

Multidrug resistant Psudomonas aeruginosa infections complicating surgical wounds and the potential challenges in managing post-operative wound infections:University of Calabar Teaching Hospital experience

Objective:To ascertain the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P. aeruginosa) recovered from surgical site infections(SSIs).Methods:The study was retrospective in nature and was compiled for a period of five years(1st February,2004-31st January,2009).Data were generated from the culture of post-operative wound swab specimens by the microbiology laboratory of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital,Relevant information from the patients’ records was compiled,such as age,gender,type of surgical procedure,microorganisms recovered and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns.Obtained data was analysed by using Epi Info 6 statistical software.Results:Of the 4 533 wound swab specimens processed,673 were culture positive and P. aeruginosa was recovered from 13.1%of the culture positive specimens with its rate of recovery decreasing with age progression(P【0.05) but with no gender difference(P】0.05).Most of the P. aeruginosa isolates were from general surgery wards and least from orthopaedic wards.Ofloxacin, ceftriaxone and augmentin were the most active antibiotics while ampicillin,tetracycline and cotrimoxazole were the least active antibiotics,with no antibiotic having a 100%activity against the organism.Conclusions:In view of the high resistance displayed by P.aeruginosa recovered from SSIs,adequate antiseptic procedures should be entrenched to avoid colonization of surgical wounds by this microorganism as well as others with similar sensitivity profile.Ofloxacin, ceftriaxone and augmentin may be considered for prevention of P.aeruginosa infection.