Evaluation of Wound Infection by Resistant Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria

Ibrahim Y. Ngoshe1 , Aisha Issa2 , Muhammad M. Ibrahim1*, Tijani Isa1 , Usman A. Bukar1 , Adamu Halidu3

1Department of Microbiology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria,
2Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Maiduguri Station, Nigeria, 3Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

*Corresponding author: mnistyle@yahoo.com, doi.org/10.55639/607.8384


ABSTRACT

Following a loss of skin integrity (wound), the subcutaneous tissue is exposed, creating a moist, warm, and nutrient-rich environment that is favorable for microbial colonization and growth. The colonization of wound by pathogenic bacteria could be a source of localized or systemic infection and impair the wound healing process. Here, we report the incidence of infection by antibiotic resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in wounds of patients attending hospitals in Maiduguri. Four hundred and twenty (420) wound swab samples were collected, using the Levine technique, from patients presenting with wounds in four (4) selected hospitals in Maiduguri (UMTH: University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; SSH: State Specialist Hospital; USH: Umaru Shehu Ultra-Modern; and MSH: Mohammed Shuwa Memorial Hospital). Wound swab samples were cultured on Blood agar, MacConkey agar and Cetrimide agar. Suspected colonies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were further confirmed by biochemical tests and subjected to Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion technique to ascertain their resistivity profile. Isolates were further classified as Multidrug resistant based on criteria set by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sixty eight (68) out of the four hundred and twenty (420) wounds analyzed yielded positive growth of P. aeruginosa. This gives a recovery rate of 16.2%, which was highest among male patients (10.7%) and patients between the ages of 21-40 years (6.0%) (p< 0.05). Hospital based prevalence was found to be highest in UMTH (20.8%) and least in MSH (6.0%) (p>0.05). All isolates were resistant to Ceftazidime (100%) and prevalence of multidrug resistance was 44.1%, where patients attending SSH recorded the highest rate of 20.6%. Efficient care must be given to wounds from initial onset to the time of healing so as to prevent infection by pathogenic microorganisms

Keywords:

Wound,
Infection,
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
Multidrug resistance