Microbiological profile of multi-resistant bacteria in an intensive care unit in a referral hospital of Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Multirug-Resistant Bacteria (MRB) are associated with an increasing rise in morbidity and mortality in critical ill patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU). The aim of our study was to establish the microbiological profile of multidrug- resistant bacteria in ICU.

Methodology: This was a 14-month descriptive cross-sectional study in the medical- surgical intensive care unit of the Douala General Hospital. All patients with germ-positive bacteriological results and whose consent had been obtained were included. The variables studied were the types of samples taken, BMRs, infections and the effectiveness of antibiotics.

Results: During the study period, 263 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit. 174 patients (66.2 %) had suspected sepsis. The mean age was 45, with extremes ranging from 1 to 83 years. The main sites of infection were urinary (37.9%). The frequency of MRB infections in the at-risk population was 25.9%. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-secreting Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) were the most frequently MRB encountered (34 %). The antibiotics most effective against these germs were amikacin, imipenem, the piperacillin-tazobactam combination and colistin.

Conclusion: Infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria are common in intensive care unit. The MRB most frequently encountered were ESBL-E. The most effective antibiotics are amikacin, imipenem, piperacillin – tazobactam and colistin.