Antibiotic resistance of germs isolated from surgical site infections in the department of surgery at the Kisangani University clinics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The antibiotic resistance of germs isolated from surgical site infections is increasing significantly in hospitals and constitutes a real public health problem. It is likely to prolong hospital stays, increase the cost of care and lead to high morbidity and mortality. On the basis of a retrospective study conducted over a period from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2024, our research focused on the results of positive bacteriological samples taken from patients operated on in the various departments of the Department of Surgery at the University Clinics of Kisangani. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of germs isolated from surgical site infections in different departments of the Department of Surgery at the Cliniques Universitaires de Kisangani to commonly used antibiotics, in order to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance in our environment and improve management. The results revealed 74 positive cultures, with 5 cases of infection caused by two bacteria simultaneously, giving a total of 79 germs. Of these, Staphylococcus aureu accounted for 41.7%, followed by Escherichia coli for 17.7%. The study of the sensitivity of germs revealed a worrying rate of germs with reduced sensitivity to the antibiotics commonly used in the department. These results highlight the need for rational use of antibiotics to limit the development of antibiotic resistance.