In vitro susceptibility of staphylococci to chlorhexidine and antibiotics

Abstract

Abstract: The study was performed to monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates of staphylococci to chlorhexidine and antibacterial drugs in vitro. Forty-eight strains of staphylococci were isolated from Tikur Anbessa Hospital patients. All isolates were susceptible to <0.01% chlorhexidine out of which 90% were inhibited at <0.001%. Tetracycline, penicillin, and chloramphenicol were the least effective drugs with 69%, 56%, and 37% of the isolates resistant, respectively. Resistance to any of the other antibiotics tested was less than 30%. Fifty six percent of the isolates were resistant to two or more drugs. The study showed that there was no association between the antibiotic and disinfectant susceptibility. Both susceptible and resistant strains to the antibiotics tested were equally susceptible to low concentrations of chlorhexidine (P>0.05). The study also demonstrated that chlorhexidine is still an effective antiseptic/disinfectant to suppress or prevent staphylococcal infections. The high frequency of drug resistant strains could be an indication of the extensive use of antibacterial drugs in this hospital. Continued surveillance and antibiotic policy are needed in order to minimize the emergence and spread of resistant pathogenic bacteria. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1999;13(3):223-227]