Bacteriological and Antibiotic Profile of the Germs Responsible for Low Respiratory Infections at the Laquintinie Hospital of Douala, Cameroon

A lower respiratory infection is an infectious attack on the lung parenchyma, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and trachea. These infections are a persistent global public health concern due to their occurrence, potential severity, and the advent of bacteria resistant to antibiotics. The present study sought to enhance antibiotic therapy and prevent the establishment of multi-resistant bacteria by identifying the microorganisms causing lower respiratory infections and ascertaining their profile of antibiotic resistance. In this study conducted a cross sectional study over four months from April to July 2023 at the Respiratory Disease Center and in the inpatient Departments of the Laquintinie Hospital of Douala. Identification of the isolates strains was confirmed using the API 20 E Enterobacteriaceae system of biochemical testing and the VITEK 2 system. The VITEK 2 system was also used to perform the antibiogram. The survey sheet collected sociodemographic, clinical, and biological parameters. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2019 and Statview 5.0 software. The statistical test used was the Chi-square test with a significant p<0.05. The present study enrolled 184 patients and 90 germs were isolated. The germs isolated were mainly Streptococcus pneumoniae (31.3%), and Staphylococcus aureus (30.7%) and Enterobacteriaceae (17.8%). Streptococcus pneumoniae had high resistance for most antibiotic tested; infection was related to cough (p=0.033). Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to Beta-lactams, Tetracycline, and Erythromycin but sensitive to Gentamycin. Klebsiella pneumoniae was resistant to Gentamycin, Ticarcillin, and Ampicillin but sensitive to Imipenem and Amikacin; the infection was related to tobacco (p=0.033) and drugs (p<0.001). Factors associated with bacterial resistance were immune depression, auto medication and poverty. Conclusion: The study of antibiotic resistance revealed alarming rates of resistance for all isolated germs. The associated factors are cough, tobacco, and immune distress.