The Microbial Profile and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Burn Wound Infection: A Hospital Based Study

Aim: To determine spectrum of bacteria infecting burn wound and its antibiotic susceptibility at Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH).

Study Design: A one year prospective study of the microbial profile in burn wound infection at BSUTH, Makurdi.

Methodology: All patients admitted from August 2018 to July 2019 with burn wound who had wound swab microscopy culture and sensitivity (MCS) after thorough cleaning of the wound were included in the study. Data collected included the Age, Sex, Occupation, Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) of burn, injuring agent, type of burn, bacteria cultured from the wound, antibiotic susceptibility, number of days of admission and outcome of treatment.

Results: Out of the 63 patients admitted, flame was the predominant injuring agent seen in 54 (85.7%) patients. The age group 21 – 30 years was the most affected, 27 constituting 42.9%. Burn wound infection occurred in 25(39.7%) patients from whom 33 bacterial isolates were recovered. Gram negative organisms Pseudomonas species and Proteus species were the commonest bacteria isolated constituting 21.21% each. Other isolates were Staphylococcus aurous 36.36%, Escherichia coli 15.15%, Klebsiella species and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (each 3.03%,). There was multiple bacteria colonization of wounds and antibiotics resistance. There was no gender difference in the burn wound infection, P =0.7819.

Conclusion: The sensitivity pattern showed many of the bacteria to be resistant to commonly administered antibiotics but sensitivity patterns got are important for empirical antibiotics prescription when patients come with glaring sepsis and are waiting for wound swab microscopy culture and sensitivity. Studying the microbial profile with antibiotic resistance pattern in burn’s wound infection should be a continuous process in all burn units/departments. This will help to formulate and modify at regular intervals, a hospital/departmental antibiotic policy according to the present microbial pattern in the respective burns unit.