Prevalence of septicaemia and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bacterial isolates at the University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract

Bloodstream infections are important causes of mortality and morbidity. Rapid empiric antibiotic therapy is often needed. Knowledge of epidemiological data of common pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern is needed for rapid therapy. This study was aimed at determining the common causes of septicaemia and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern from the University Teaching Hospital, Yaounde. Blood samples were collected and cultured aerobically. Isolates were identified using bacteriological and biochemical methods and antibiotic sensitivity was done using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results showed that of the 396 patients examined 112 (28.3%) had septicaemia. Children below the age of 15 years constituted the greatest percentage of infected subjects (63.4%) followed by patients aged between 16-30 years (10.7%) (P<0.05). The highest incidence of septicaemia were from medicine (8.95 per mil), followed by paediatrics (7.04 per mil), surgery (6.46 per mil), out-patients (5.79 per mil), neonatology (5.12 per mil), obstetrics and gynaecology (5.05 per mil) and emergency (2.05 per mil) wards. The overall incidence of septicaemia was 5.79 per 1000 admissions. Gram-positive bacteria were encountered more often than gram negative bacteria (56.2% versus 43.8%, P<0.05). Among the gram-positive bacteria, 52 (82.5%) were Staphylococci; 6 (9.5%) were Streptococcus species; while 5 (7.9%) were unidentified gram-positive bacteria. Among gram-negative bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae 39 (79.6%) and non-fermenting bacteria 10 (20.1%) were more frequent. Staphylococci were generally sensitive to Minocyclin and Rifampin (90%) while Enterobacteriaceae were most sensitive to Cefoxitin (71%) and Aztreonam (74%). Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus and Salmonella typhi are the leading causes of bacteraemia among patients attending the University Teaching Hospital, Yaounde.