Determination of susceptibility patterns of selected bacterial strains isolated from surfaces in Mulago main operation theater to some routinely used antimicrials

Abstract

Microbial contamination of the operating theatre (OT) is a major cause of post operation wound infections, delay to in healing and even death of patients. The study assessed the presence of microbial contamination specifically with Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae and determined the antimicrobial susceptibility of the bacteria isolates to some routinely used antibiotics in Mulago National Referral Hospital. Swab method was used to collect samples from surfaces and other articles in the general operation theatre. Collected samples were transported and microbiologically processed using standard procedures. 60 samples were taken for microbiological evaluation. Microbial growth was found on surfaces and semi-critical articles. The two types of bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (7; 11.7%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (7; 11.7%). No Pseudomonas aeruginosa was present and other organisms were (32; 53.3%). Vancomycin was the most effective drug against S.aureus with the highest susceptibility of 71.4%. Nalidixic acid, cotrimoxazole and amoxiclav indicated 100% susceptibility, that was followed by cefuroxime and chloramphenicol with 85.7% susceptibility against Klebsiella pneumoniae. The highest resistance was found against ampicillin with a resistance rate of 100% against S. aureus and a combination drug clavulanic acid+ceftazidime with 85.7% resistance againist Klebsiella pneumoniae. In general, bacterial strains S. aureus and K. pneumoniae have a greater propensity to cause contamination in OT. In conclusion, there was high level of microbial contamination in the OT. Therefore, regular microbiological surveillance of the OT is mandatory in reducing microbial contamination. Furthermore, efforts should be made to ensure strict infection control practices in the OT.