Isolation of Multi-drug Resistant Bacteria from Patients Admitted to Aljala Trauma Hospital in Benghazi, Libya

Abstract Background: The high prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is a worldwide problem. The overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents favored the emergence of MDR bacteria and rendered infectious agents difficult to treat. The aim of this study was to isolate bacteria responsible for wound infections in inpatients and outpatients treated at Aljala Trauma Hospital, Benghazi, Libya. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Jala Trauma Hospital from January to July 2019. Wound swab samples were collected from 230 patients and cultured on different media. An antibiogram of isolates was determined. We were using the disk diffusion technique (Kirby-Bauer technique). Results: Three hundred fifty-five isolates were able to grow on culture media. A single etiological agent was identified in 149 patients and multiple agents were found in 81 patients. The predominant pathogens isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus (21%), E. coli (15%) Klebsiella (14%), Acinetobacter (7%), CoNS and Enterobacter (6%), while Enterococcus sp. (4%), proteus sp. (3%) and S. pyogens(1%) The overall MDR among Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial isolates were (32.7%) and (67.3%) respectively. The percentage of MRSA was 16%, surprisingly the prevalence of MDR among Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter sp., Proteus sp., and S. pyogens were very high (100%) and most of the other bacteria isolated were resistant to most of the antibiotics used. Moreover, Co-negative isolates appeared highly resistant to Oxacillin (89%), Enterococcus sp. (90%), and Staph aureus sp. (79%) Conclusion: The prevalence of multi-drug resistance among Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is high and this is considered a serious problem. It is necessary to follow the bio gram of bacteria causing wound infections in the hospital as this would be beneficial to patients as well as help physicians in the selection of appropriate treatment. Moreover, aseptic techniques, hand hygiene, and wearing personal protective equipment will improve patient outcomes and help reduce the spread of pathogens among patients and in the hospital.