Is routine Gram-negative antibiotic coverage required for optimum antibiotic prophylaxis in open reduction and internal fixation of fractures? A multicenter analysis of bacteria pathogens in fracture-related infections.

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Measures directed at infection prevention, particularly perioperative systemic antibiotic prophylaxis, have received widespread implementation and are considered a standard of care for patients undergoing operative management of fractures, especially with implant use. This study aimed to review the microbiology profile of patients with fracture-related infections (FRIs) in a sub-Saharan African country in order to establish the necessity or otherwise of Gram-negative cover in the selection of antibiotics for perioperative prophylaxis. This study retrospectively reviewed records of adult patients (aged 18years and above) diagnosed with FRI from January 2018 to December 2022 in ten tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Data related to demographics, fracture and FRI classification as well as pathogenic bacteria were obtained while data were analyzed with SPSS version 23. Over the study period, 137 cases met the inclusion criteria and their data were obtained for analysis. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria species accounted for 70 (51%) and 67 (49%), respectively, of the entire microorganisms identified by bacteriological culture. The most common organisms isolated from culture include Staphylococcus aureus (62, 45.3%), Escherichia coli (29, 21.2%), Klebsiella pneumonia (17, 12.4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11, 8.1%). The distribution of pathogenic bacteria isolated from positive cultures of infected closed and open fractures revealed a predominance of Gram-negative bacteria in closed fractures accounting for 45(55.6%) of the 81 organisms isolated; however, Gram-negative organisms accounted for only 22 (39.3%) of the 56 organisms isolated in open fractures (P = 0.061). The findings in this study suggest that Gram-negative cover may be necessary for optimal perioperative antibiotic coverage, particularly in the sub-Saharan Africa setting in patients undergoing internal fixation of fractures. We recommend that individual institutions should establish local prophylactic protocols that provide Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogen coverage guided by local microbiological flora.