*1Sanusi, A. A., 2,3Okesola, A. O., and 2,4Odusanya, O. O.
1Department of Anaesthesia, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan/University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
2Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
3Department of Medical Microbiology University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
4AllTalentz LLC
*Correspondence to: arinolasanusi@yahoo.com; +2348033250788; ORCiD number: 00000003-1725-9097
Abstract:
Background: Healthcare associated infections (HAIs), also known as nosocomial infections, pose a major safety risk for both patients and healthcare workers globally. Acinetobacter species are Gram-negative bacteria primarily associated with HAIs and have been implicated in outbreaks of infections such as ventilator-associated pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and septicaemia. The multi-drug resistance (MDR) nature of Acinetobacter species coupled with ability to survive for long periods in harsh conditions have made them of global health concern. Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are highly susceptible to Acinetobacter infection. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance profiles of Acinetobacter isolates in infections among patients in the ICU of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methodology: A total of 120 consecutive patients were recruited into this study between April and December 2021 from whom blood samples, tracheal aspirates and catheter urine samples were obtained. Samples were obtained from patients who had spent a minimum of 48 hours in the ICU at the time of sample collection. The samples were cultured, and bacterial isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on all isolates by the disc diffusion method in line with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guideline. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0.
Results: From the samples obtained from 120 enrolled patients during the study period, only 5 were positive for Acinetobacter species, giving a prevalence of 4.2%. Four (80.0%) of the isolates were Acinetobacter baumannii while 1 (20.0%) was Acinetobacter haemolyticus. Four (80.0%) isolates were from the tracheal aspirates, 1 (20.0%) was from the blood culture, while the catheter urine specimen yielded no Acinetobacter isolate. The isolates were 80.0% resistant to amikacin, 60.0% to gentamicin, 60.0% to ceftazidime, 40.0% to ciprofloxacin, 40.0% to levofloxacin, 40.0% to meropenem, and 0% to colistin. The 4 A. baumannii isolates were multi-drug resistant (resistant to three or more classes of antibiotics) while the only A. haemolyticus was mono-drug resistant.
Conclusion: The need for continued infection prevention and control, surveillance of multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter spp and antimicrobial stewardship practices in the ICU is hereby emphasized.
Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii, intensive care unit, multi-drug resistance
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