The bacteriology of nosocomial infections at Tikur Anbessa Teaching Hospital, Addis Ababa.
Patients admitted to a teaching hospital in Addis Ababa were studied for nosocomial infection. Of 2506 patients, 13% developed clinical infections, with the highest rate among obstetric/gynaecologic patients (17.0%). Wound infection was the most frequent type of nosocomial infection (49%) followed by urinary tract infection (25%). Antibiotic prophylaxis was given to 43% of the patients. Gram-negative bacteria comprised 88% of all isolated strains Enterobacteriaceae; 75% of all isolates were found in over 60% of the infection, Proteus 25%, Escherichia coli 20% and Klebsiella 19%. The most widely used antibiotics were ineffective against 65 to 85% of the Gram-negative strains. Cefotaxime and gentamicin were more effective. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were also similarly resistant, against which cephalothin, lincomycin and gentamicin were the more effective ones. Over 70% of the strains were multiple resistant. The findings underscore the need for a surveillance program and infection control system to reduce the high rate of infection and to institute appropriate guidelines for the use of prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotics.
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
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Gedebou
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Kronvall
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Habte-Gabr
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Ringertz
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005002:Ethiopia; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents