A STUDY OF WOUND INFECTIONS IN TWO HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN ILE-IFE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The microbiological analysis of wound infection in 102 patients was undertaken in
the outpatient departments of the University Teaching Hospital and the Health
Centre in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The location and type of wound was considered and
identification of bacterial isolates was determined by standard microbiological
techniques. Forty per cent of wound types was attributed to trauma and in most
cases, were located at the extremities. A total of one hundred and sixty two
bacterial isolates were obtained from wound cultures. In 39 cases, cultures were
monomicrobial, 55 cultures were polymicrobial but no bacterial isolate was
obtained in eight cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant
microorganism (25%) followed by Escherichia coli (12%), Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (9%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (9%). The diversity of
microorganisms and the high incidence of polymicrobic flora in this study give
credence to the value of identifying one or more bacterial pathogens from wound
cultures. Continuous dialogue between the microbiology department and wound
care practitioners and education of patients on personal hygiene is strongly
advised.