Bacteriology of surgical site and catheter related urinary tract infections among patients admitted in Mekelle Hospital, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia.
BACKGROUND
Nosocomial infections are widespread and are important contributors to morbidity and mortality. Prevalence studies are useful in revealing the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the bacterial pathogens associated with hospital acquired surgical site infection (SSI) and urinary tract infection (UTI) and assess their susceptibility patterns in patients admitted in Mekelle Hospital in Ethiopia.


METHODS
From November 2005 to April 2006 a prospective cross sectional study was conducted at Mekelle Hospital, Tigray region, North Ethiopia. The study population comprised of a total of 246 informed and consented adult patients hospitalized for surgical (n = 212) and Gynecology and Obstetrics cases (n = 34).


RESULTS
Of the 246 admitted patients, 68 (27.6%) developed nosocomial infections (SSI and/or nosocomial UTI) based on the clinical evaluations, and positive wound and urine culture results. Gram negative bacteria were predominantly isolated with a rate of 18/34 (53%) and 34/41 (83%) from SSI and UTI respectively. Most of the isolates from UTI have high rates of resistance (> 80%) to the commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, streptomycin, and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole; and in isolates from SSI to amoxicillin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole.


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed that the prevalence of HAIs (SSI and nosocomial UTI) in the Hospital is high when compared to previous Ethiopian and other studies despite the use of prophylactic antibiotics. The pathogens causing SSI and UT7 are often resistant to commonly used antimicrobials. The findings underscore the need for an infection control system and surveillance program in the hospital and to monitor antimicrobial resistance pattern for the use of prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotics.
Tesfahunegn
Zeamanuel
Z
Tigray Regional Health Bureau, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia ' Departnfment of Medical Microbiology. Immunology and Paiasitolo,,. Faculty of Medicine. Addis Ababa University. P.O.Box.9086. Addis Ababa, thiiopia 'Mekelle Regional lospital and Mekclle University. iligray. lIthiopin.
Asrat
Daniel
D
Woldeamanuel
Yimtubezinash
Y
Estifanos
Kidanu
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents