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Burkholderia cepacia infection at A university Teaching Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria
Abstract
Twenty five isolates of B. cepacia, representing 1.4% of all isolates, were obtained at the Microbiology Laboratory of a University Teaching Hospital in Lagos between January 1996 and December 1997. Identification of isolates was done using analytical profile index systems (Biomerieux, France) and sensitivity testing was by disc diffusion methods as recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory standards Majority of these isolates (24 out of 25) were cultured from in-patients, with most isolates from specimens which came in from the paediatric wards. Eighteen (72%) of the 25 isolates were obtained from blood, 4 (16%) were from urine and the remaining isolates were from wound d swab (1) and sputum (1). Five (27.8%) of the blood isolates were obtained from neonates with symptoms and signs of septicaema, 8
(44.4%) from neonates without features of septicaemia while diagnosis of septicaemia was uncertain in the remaining 5 blood isolates also from neonates. Factors that appeared to predispose to infection included intravenous fluid administration, catheterisation and surgery. Twelve (48%) of the 25 isolates were found to produce beta-lactamase by starch paper technique. B. Cepacia showed reduced sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics like gentamicin (0%) and co-trirnoxazole (0%). Majority of the isolates were sensitive to nalidixic acid (64%), cefriaxone (56.5%) and ceftazidime (73.9%). B. Cepacia probably causes nosocomial infections in this environment. It may therefore be necessary to routinely carry out in-vitro antibiotic sensitivity testing testing for this organism in view of its resistance to commonly used antibiotic agents, so that appropriate therapy can be instituted.
(J. of the Nigerian Association of Infection Control, 2000, 3(1): 10-15)
(44.4%) from neonates without features of septicaemia while diagnosis of septicaemia was uncertain in the remaining 5 blood isolates also from neonates. Factors that appeared to predispose to infection included intravenous fluid administration, catheterisation and surgery. Twelve (48%) of the 25 isolates were found to produce beta-lactamase by starch paper technique. B. Cepacia showed reduced sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics like gentamicin (0%) and co-trirnoxazole (0%). Majority of the isolates were sensitive to nalidixic acid (64%), cefriaxone (56.5%) and ceftazidime (73.9%). B. Cepacia probably causes nosocomial infections in this environment. It may therefore be necessary to routinely carry out in-vitro antibiotic sensitivity testing testing for this organism in view of its resistance to commonly used antibiotic agents, so that appropriate therapy can be instituted.
(J. of the Nigerian Association of Infection Control, 2000, 3(1): 10-15)
