Occurrence of pseudomonas aeruginosa in Post-Operative wound infection

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Post-Operative Wound Infection. Design: Swab samples were collected from patients who had undergone operation, sinks, washbasins, floor and nursing staff within the different wards of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria. Settings: The samples were obtained from the wards in the hospital and processed in the department of Medical Microbiology of the hospital. Main Outcome Measures: Assessment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an agent of nosocomial infections. Results: Out of the 60 bacterial isolates found in post-operative wound infection, 20 (33.3%) were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by Staphylococcus aureus 13 (21.7%), Klebsiella species 10 (16.7%), Escherichia coli 7 (11.7%), Atypical coliform 4 (6.7%), Proteus species 4 (6.7%), Streptococcus pyogenes 1 (1.7%) and Enterococcus faecalis 1 (1.7%) in that order. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was higher in female than male, ratio 3:2 and was found more among young and elderly debilitated patients. The in vitro sensitivity pattern of 20 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed colistin (100%), gentamicin (75%), streptomycin (30%), and tetracycline (10%). Conclusion: The role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an agent of nosocomial infections is re-emphasised.