Susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Five Antimicrobial Agents

Abstract

This study had been carried out in Khartoum state during the period between December 2003 to May 2005. The study was designed to evaluate the in vitro activity of routine used antipseudomonal antimicrobials (Gentamicin, Ciproflaxacin, Ceftazidime, Amikacin, and Imipenem), by using NCCLS Modified Kirby – Bauer Disc Diffusion Technique against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from ninety one clinical specimens, included , wound swabs (n=60) 66% ,ear swabs (n=25) 27%, and urine (n=6) 7%. Males were 67/91 (74%) and females were 24/91 (26%). The cases were designed into five age-groups, 1-15 years contained 17/91 (19%) cases, 16 - 30 years contained 23/91 (25%) cases, 31-45 years contained 16/91 (17%) cases, 46-60 years contained .18/91 (20%) cases and ≥ 61 years contained 17/91(19%) cases The results obtained from this study showed that the most effective antimicrobial among the antimicrobials used was Imipenem , because it had had the lowest resistance rate 1/91(1%). The resistance rate of Amikacin, Ceftazidime, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin, were 4/91 (4%), 13/91 (14%), 27/91 (30%) and 32/91 (35%) respectively. Forty eight (53%) of the strains were sensitive to all antimicrobials under test. The study proved that, resistance to antimicrobials among males was greater than that among females. Resistance to Gentamicin among males was 25/67 (37%) whereas among females was 07/24 (29%), to Ciprofloxacin among males was 24/67 (36%) and among females was 3/24 (13%), to ceftazidime among males was 10/67 (15%) and among females was 3/24 (13%). All the resistant strains (4) to Amikacin were among males, and the only single resistant strain to Imipenem was among males. The study also concluded to that; males 67/91(74%) were more exposure to infection by P. aeruginosa than females 24/91 (26%). Those who fell in the age-group 16-30 years 23/91 (25%) were more liable to be infected by P. aeruginosa, but those who were among age-group 31-45 years .16/91 (17%) were less liable