ABSTRACT

The Isolation, Identification and antibacterial susceptibility pattern of pathogens from wound infections were carried out. A total of 50 wounds swabs were analyzed for isolation of pathogens. Patients with wounds included accidents, burns ad other skin wounds were investigated in this study. The most common pathogen isolated was Staphylococcus aureus representing 51.2% of the total isolates followed by Escherichia coli with 29.2% occurrence. Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounted for 5 (12.1%) of the overall isolates while Klebsiella species accounts for 7.31%. A greater percentage of the isolates were recorded in the skin infection patients with 23(56.0%) occurrences followed by the accidents and bums wound each accounting for 21.9%. Majority of the isolates were sensitive to Ofloxacin, gentamicin and Nitrofurantion while showing high level of resistance to other commonly used antibiotics like amoxicillin and Cloxacilin. It is imperative therefore to determine the clinically significant isolates, perform antimicrobial sensitivity testing and subsequently provide guidance on the most appropriate treatment. This assistance will not only facilitate successful wound management but also assist in the control of antibiotic usage and hence reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria. 

Table of Contents

Title Page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables vii

List of Plates viii 

Abstract    

                                ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Aims and Objectives 3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Literature Review 5

2.1 Categories of Wound 8

2.1.1 Abrasion 8

2.1.2 Incision 8 

2.1.3 Laceration 8

2.1.4 Puncture 9

2.2 Wound Infection 9

2.3 Recognition of Wound Infection 11

2.4 Wound Healing 13

2.4.1 Addressing Bacterial Burden as an Obstacle to Wound Healing 15

2.5 Management and Treatment of Wound Infections 16

2.5.1 Antibiotic Therapy 16

2.5.2 Disinfectants 17

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.0   Sample Collection 19

3.1   Media Preparation 19

3.2   Inoculation of Samples 20

3.3   Sub-Culture and Purification 20

3.4   Characterization and Identification of Isolates 20

3.5   Biochemical Characterization 21

3.5.1 Gram Staining Method 21

3.5.2 Catalase Test 21

3.5.3 Indole Production Test 22

3.5.4 Coagulase Test 22

3.5.5 Citrate Utilization Test 22

3.5.6 Carbohydrate Fermentation Test 23

3.5.7 Methyl Red Test 23

3.5.8 Voges-Proskauer Test 24

3.5.9 Oxidase Test 24

3.6   Antimicrobial Sensitivity Test 24

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS

4.0 Results 26

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Discussion 33

5.2 Conclusion 35

References 3

LIST OF TABLES

Table Title Page

1 Occurrence of Wound Pathogens among Children and Adults 27

2 Prevalence of Bacterial Isolates in Wound Infection 28

3 Frequency of Isolation of Gram Positive and Negative Bacteria 29

4 Isolation of Bacteria from Different Wound Types 30

5 Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of the Isolates 31