title: Disk diffusion antimicrobial assays of agents used in respiratory tract infections in intubated patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Kenyatta National Hospital from November to December 1990.
abstract: Sensitivity patterns of bacterial isolates from respiratory tract infections to benzylpenicillin, gentamicin and ceftazidime were studied. In a period covering 8 weeks from November to December 1990, tracheal aspirates from a total of 22 intubated patients aged 6-54 years were taken. The duration of stay of patients in the unit by the time of specimen collection ranged from 2-92 days. Respiratory tract infections by pathogenic organisms set in earliest on day 4. Elevated temperatures (equal to or greater than 38 degrees C) and/or purulence in sputum were used as diagnostic indicators of respiratory tract infections. A total of 12 pathogenic organisms were obtained: Proteus spp, Pseudomonas spp, Klebsiella spp, Acinetobacter spp, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. None of the 12 pathogens isolated was sensitive to benzylpenicillin; 50% of organisms were sensitive to gentamicin and all were sensitive to ceftazidime.
authors.affiliation: Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Nzomo
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Mutere
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kabiru
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Akunda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*