Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Associated with Sepsis among Hospitalized Patients in the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital—Cameroon

Abstract

Background and Objective: In developing countries, the steep increase in septicaemia cases is a major health problem that creates the biggest challenge for clinicians in the selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents. This is further complicated by the development of resistance in organisms to antimicrobial agents, which is the mainstay of treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacterial isolates associated with sepsis among hospitalized patients including the detection of Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Extended Spectrum Beta lactamases (ESBLs). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out for 5 months at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital. Bacterial species were isolated from 150 blood samples collected from hospitalized patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The isolates were tested for methicillin resistance and ESBLs. Results: The prevalence of septicaemia was 16% (24/150) among hospitalized patients. In our study, 75% (18/24) of infections were caused by Gram- negative and 25% (6/24) by Gram-positive bacteria. Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common isolates. The antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolates showed that Gram-negative bacteria were highly resistant to Amoxicillin clavulanic acid and ceftriaxone while the Gram- positive bacteria were highly resistant to minocycline. Fifty percent (3/6) of the isolated S. aureus were methicillin-resistant and 27.8% (5/18) of the isolated Enterobacteriaceae were ESBLs producers. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, temperature above 37.9℃ (AOR = 4.455; 95% Cl = 1.458 - 15.693; p = 0.033) and being under respiratory assistance (AOR = 4.311; 95% Cl = 1.458 - 12.749; p = 0.008) were significantly associated with septicaemia. Conclusion: The Occurrence of multidrug-resistant strains in this study emphasizes the need for continuous surveillance in hospitals to detect resistant strains. Strict guidelines for antibiotic therapy and the implementation of infection control measures to reduce the increasing burden of antibiotic resistance are advocated.