Inhibitory potentials of <i>Ageratum conyzoides</i> L. and <i>Tridax procumbens</i> L. ethanolic leaf extracts against multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) from cancer patients

Cancer and its associated treatments often compromise the immune system, predisposing patients to opportunistic infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB). This study investigated the resistance patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from cancer patients and evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of ethanolic leaf extracts of <i>Ageratum conyzoides</i> and <i>Tridax procumbens</i> at a concentration of 200 mg/mL against these MDRB pathogens. A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from cancer patients attending a tertiary healthcare facility. Bacterial isolates were identified from blood samples and screened for antibiotic susceptibility patterns. The susceptibility of MDRB isolates to the ethanolic leaf extracts of <i>A. conyzoides</i> and <i>T. procumbens</i> was assessed as a potential alternative therapy. The study revealed that breast cancer was the most prevalent type (38%) among the patient population (n = 160). In addition, the most common bacterial pathogens isolated from cancer patients included <i>Escherichia coli</i> (12 isolates), <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (15), <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> (9), <i>Shigella dysenteriae</i> (10), <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (12), <i>Klebsiella aerogenes</i> (6), and <i>Salmonella typhi</i> (7). These pathogens exhibited significant multidrug resistance to conventional antibiotics. For instance, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> showed high resistance to cotrimoxazole (83%), ceftazidime (67%), erythromycin (75%), and cefuroxime (83%), whilst  retaining susceptibility to gentamycin. Conversely, the ethanolic extracts of <i>A. conyzoides</i> and <i>T. procumbens</i> demonstrated inhibitory zones ranging from 8.26 ± 0.15 mm to 25.22 ± 0.83 mm and 8.30 ± 0.20 mm to 23.22 ± 0.83 mm, respectively against MDR bacterial pathogens evaluated. Findings revealed that <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> was most susceptible to <i>A. conyzoides</i> (25.22 ± 0.83 mm), whilst <i>T. procumbens</i> exhibited notable activity against MDRB pathogens. Additionally, the combination of <i>T. procumbens</i> extracts and ofloxacin exhibited synergistic effects against <i>Salmonella typhi</i>. This study underscores the vulnerability of cancer patients to opportunistic bacterial infections and highlights the potential of <i>A. conyzoides</i> and <i>T. procumbens</i> as alternative sources of antibacterial agents. Hence, further purification and characterization of these extracts are recommended for developing effective therapeutic options against MDRB pathogens evaluated.