Aerobic Bacterial Profile and Their Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Sterile Body Fluids Among Patients at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

Infections of sterile body fluids are susceptible to serious invasive bacterial infections and critical, with high morbidity and sequelae risk. This study has not been conducted previously in eastern Ethiopia.

Objective

The present study was designed to determine the bacterial profile, associated factors, and their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents of isolates among patients with sterile body fluids at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2021 among 204 patients selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. All consenting patients submitting body fluid specimens for testing at the clinical laboratory were included and analyzed using standard microbiology methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method and interpreted as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Data were double entered into Epi data version 4.6, exported, and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 25. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess the association between outcome and predictor variables. P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

The overall prevalence of bacteria among different sterile body fluid samples was 16.7% (95% CI: 12–22%). Most of the bacterial isolates (70.6%) were Gram-negative bacteria, mainly K. pneumoniae (26.5%) and E. coli (20.6%). Multidrug resistance was identified in 76.5% of the isolates. Being inpatient (AOR = 3.59; 95% CI: 1.52, 8.51) and turbid appearance (AOR = 4.35; 95% CI: 1.67, 11.29) were significantly associated with culture growth rate.

Conclusion

The prevalence of bacterial isolates in this study comprises about 17%. Gram-negative bacteria, particularly K. pneumoniae and E. coli, were the major etiologic agents. Being inpatient and the turbid appearance of the specimen were significantly associated with the culture-positive result. Significant numbers of multidrug-resistant bacteria were isolated, mainly against beta-lactams. Therefore, culture and susceptibility testing should be an integral part of the laboratory investigation.

Keywords:

• sterile body fluids
• bacteria
• antimicrobial resistance
• Eastern Ethiopia

Acknowledgment

We acknowledged Haramaya University Colleges of Health and Medical Sciences Institutional Health Research Ethical Review Committee for giving the ethical clearance. We also thank study participants and all individuals who have in one way or another contributed to the completion of this research.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

Authors have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research data collection finance was covered by Haramaya university postgraduate directorate.