COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF MEDICATED SOAPS ON STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ASSOCIATED WITH WOUNDS AND POST-OPERATIVE WOUNDS FROM HOSPITALS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus remains one of the leading causes of wound infection and medicated soaps have antimicrobial substances which when applied on living tissues, reduces the possibility of S. aureus wound infection, sepsis or putrefaction. Aim: Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the antibacterial activities of 6 medicated soaps on S. aureus isolated from wounds. Methodology: One hundred and eight (108) wound samples were collected from patients with wound infection found in the orthopedic and surgical wards of selected hospitals in Ondo State. The antibacterial activity of medicated soaps on S. aureus isolated from wound infection was determined using agar well diffusion technique and the antibiogram profile was determined using disc diffusion technique. Results: Of the 108 wound samples tested, 64 (59.3%) were infected with S. aureus. Tetmosol soap recorded the highest zone of inhibition against all S. aureus strains with (24.3 mm) at 200 mg/ml and (20.3 mm) at 100 mg concentrations. Carat soap had the least antibacterial activity against all staphylococcus strains with (6.0 mm) for both concentrations. Over 70% of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, rocephine, gentamycin, zinnacef, ampiclox and septrin; whereas, ≤ 50% were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, erythromycin and perfloxacin. Medicated soaps had a better activity on S. aureus compared to conventional antibiotics. Conclusion: Therefore, antiseptic soaps could be used in the cleaning of wounds and cuts during time of hurts to prevent infection and the transmission of wound pathogens. However, this should be used moderately by patients in order to avoid irritation and development of microbial resistance in the future.