Profile and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Bacterial Isolates from Infected Wounds of Patients Attending Berekum Holy Family Hospital in Ghana

Background: Wound management and care after an infection has been known to present a major concern to healthcare professionals. Its association with increased trauma, discomfort and financial burden to patients bring to bear the need for aggressive intervention. This study sought to investigate the bacterial profile and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of infected wounds in patients who reported to Berekum Holy Family Municipal Hospital in Ghana.

Methodology: A total of 150 consenting patients with wound infections of diverse aetiologies were recruited. Wound swabs were aseptically obtained, macroscopically analyzed, gram stained and cultured on differential media. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique.

Results: The prevalence of wound infection was 84.67% with cellulitis (35.43%) accounting for the most cause. Gram-negative bacilli (84.5%) were the most isolated bacteria with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28%) being the most predominant pathogen isolated. Polymicrobial infections were identified in 33 (19.64%) of the infected wounds with Pseudomonas aeruginosa/Proteus mirabilis being the most common association (36.4%). The isolated gram-negative organisms were absolutely susceptible (97%-100%) to amikacin. Gentamicin, Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin exhibited moderate to higher susceptibility. Gentamicin exhibited maximal susceptibility against the gram-positive organisms with tetracycline being the most resistant antibiotic against the isolated organisms.

Conclusion: With the increased detection of bacterial pathogens causing wound infections and their susceptibility to the tested antibiotics, we recommend that patients with wound infections should immediately report cases to health facilities for early intervention.