Abstract:
Background: Wound management and care after an infection has been known to present a major
concern to healthcare professionals. Its association with increased trauma, discomfort and financial
burden to patients bring to bear the need for aggressive intervention. This study sought to
investigate the bacterial profile and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of infected wounds in
patients who reported to Berekum Holy Family Municipal Hospital in Ghana.
Methodology: A total of 150 consenting patients with wound infections of diverse aetiologies were
recruited. Wound swabs were aseptically obtained, macroscopically analyzed, gram stained and
cultured on differential media. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disk
diffusion technique.
Results: The prevalence of wound infection was 84.67% with cellulitis (35.43%) accounting for the
most cause. Gram-negative bacilli (84.5%) were the most isolated bacteria with Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (28%) being the most predominant pathogen isolated. Polymicrobial infections were
identified in 33 (19.64%) of the infected wounds with Pseudomonas aeruginosa/Proteus mirabilis being the most common association (36.4%). The isolated gram-negative organisms were
absolutely susceptible (97%-100%) to amikacin. Gentamicin, Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin
exhibited moderate to higher susceptibility. Gentamicin exhibited maximal susceptibility against the
gram-positive organisms with tetracycline being the most resistant antibiotic against the isolated
organisms.
Conclusion: With the increased detection of bacterial pathogens causing wound infections and
their susceptibility to the tested antibiotics, we recommend that patients with wound infections
should immediately report cases to health facilities for early intervention.
