College of Health Sciences

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Browsing College of Health Sciences by Author "Amankwa, Richcane Baawa"

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    Epidemiological investigation and profiling of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of burn wound isolates in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital
    (JULY, 2016) Amankwa, Richcane Baawa
    Burns is the destruction of the skin barrier caused by scalds, chemicals, electricity, radiation and friction provides a suitable medium for the growth of pathogens, delaying wound healing and may result in development of deep scars and contractures. Burn wound infection is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in burn patients worldwide. The study aimed at the epidemiological investigation the bacteriological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of burn wound isolates. Swabs were taken from burn wounds of patients admitted to ward D2C and Burns Intensive Care Unit (BICU) from December 2014 to November 2015. Samples were processed at the Microbiology Laboratory for culture and sensitivity. Bacteria isolated were identified using their morphological characteristics, Gram staining reaction and biochemical tests. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Questionnaire were also administered to study participants to obtain information on demography, kind of first aid received, antibiotics received prior to culture and sensitivity. A total of 86 patients comprising 45 patients from old burns ward D2C and 41 patients from Burns Intensive Care Unit (BICU) participated in the study. Males were 51(59.3%) and females 35 (40.7%). Age of participants ranged from 0-56+ years. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the commonest pathogen isolated 26(30.2%), followed by Pseudomonas spp. 21(24.4%), Escherichia coli 17(19.8%), Klebsiella spp. 12(14.0%). Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus accounted for 2(2.3%). Overall prevalence of infection in the current study was 90.7%. Burn wound infection continues to be a major challenge in Burn centers. Hence, regular surveillance of commonly identified pathogens in the ward and their antimicrobial susceptibility will guide proper empiric selection of antibiotics for management of burn wound.