Prevalence of Pseudomonas in Burn Wounds at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

The studies of the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in burn wounds and the etiologic factors that contribute to burn contamination in the ward were carried out. Out of the 104 isolates from freshly admitted burn wounds patients; the isolates predominated in second-degree burns 45 (43.3%), followed by first-degree 38(36.5%) and third-degree 21(20.2%). From long term inmates the isolates dominated in third degree burns 33(53.2%) and second-degree 29(46.8%). The result of cultured samples taken from different parts of the ward showed that sink-traps 15(53.6%) had the highest prevalence followed by bath-tubs 7(25%), instrument 4(14.3%) and air 2(7.1%). While from staff nurses Pseudomonas aeruginosa predominated in the nostrils18 (50%), mouths 11(30.6%) and hands 7(19.4%). The organisms were further tested for their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. The quinolones, cefuroxime and gentamicin were the most effective on isolates from newly admitted patients and to a lesser extent on isolates from long-term inmate patients, environment and from staff nurses. Generally, there was a significant different between (p <0.05) the antibiotic sensitivity pattern from freshly admitted patients and prolong hospitalized patients and also between freshly admitted and the environment and staff nurses (p<0.05). No significant difference (p > 0.05) between the environmental isolates and staff nurses isolates.