The Prevalence and Antibiogram of Esherichia Coli from Clinical Specimens of Superficial Wounds, High Vagina and Antral Washouts in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State

Abstract

This study seeks to determine the prevalence of recovery of Escherichia coli from clinical specimens of superficial wounds, high vagina and antral washouts. This study which was prospective and cross-sectional involved six hundred and sixty eight (668) participants who were patients seen at the various facilities in the hospital. Males were two hundred and forty (35.9%) Females were two hundred and twenty eight (34.3%) while children were two hundred (29.9%). Specimens of wounds, aspirates and high vagina were cultured on chocolate, blood and McConkey and Eosin methylene blue agars. Specimens on blood agar were incubated both aerobically and anaerobically for 24hrs. Isolates were identified by their colonial morphology and biochemical reactions and tested for sensitivity. Escherichia coli isolates demonstrated strong resistance to some of the antibiotics while they showed moderate sensitivity to ceftazidime, ofloxacin, clarithomycin and amoxicillin clavulanate. The increasing resistance of Escherichia coli to the commonly used antibiotics in the community is a cause of concern, and measures were suggested for effective resistance control.

Key words: Escherichia coli , Aspirates and swabs, resistance.