Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from infected wounds at Connaught hospital, Freetown, Sierra LEONE

Background: Wound infection is one of the major leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a major part of the complications of treatment for the infection. Aims: The study identified the common pathogens that caused wound infection and as well assessed the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the pathogens isolated from wounds. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out on suspected cases of wound infection who visited Connaught Hospital. Seventy-four participants were recruited for the study. Wound swabs were collected from each patient, streaked on nutrient agar and then incubated at 37 °C for 24 hours. Isolates were identified by microscopic observations and biochemical reactions. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated pathogens was tested by viteck2. Result: Out of the 67 (90.5%) that shows growth during culture, gram-negative bacteria were identified as the most common pathogens. Escherichia coli was the most common isolate as it accounted for 40% of the total isolates found in this study. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common gram-positive isolate identified. Conclusion: All gram-negative bacteria were highly susceptible to ciprofloxacin, gentamycin and highly resistant to ceftriaxone and trimethoprim-Sulphamethoxazole. The Gram-positive bacteria highly susceptible to clindamycin, nitrofurantoin and gentamycin, highly resistant to tetracycline and gentamicin.