Bacteriological Profiling of Wound Infections and Antibacterial Potential of Selected Antiseptics against Isolated Pathogens

Abstract

A wound is a type of injury that occurs due to any cut, puncturing or tearing of skin that may lead to damage to the first line of defense resulting in a variety of microbial infections. The aim of the present study was to assess the bacteriological profile of wound infections at Hyderabad, Sindh. Wound samples including (pus, aspirates, tissue) were collected aseptically using sterile swabs/syringe. A total of 150 samples were collected from acute and chronic wounds. Isolation and identification of bacteria was carried out as per standard methods. All the samples were cultured on nutrient agar, MacConkey’s agar and blood agar plates simultaneously. Antibacterial potential of selected antiseptic was assessed by agar well diffusion method. The data showed that 54.67% (n=82) of total samples were from males and 45.33% (n=68) from females. Among the samples 92.67% (n=139) yielded the growth of single bacterial isolate while 7.33% (n=11) demonstrated growth of two bacterial isolates. Altogether, twelve different types of bacteria belonging to both groups were recovered from wound samples. Gram-positive 54% (n=81) were more prevalent as compared to Gram-negative 38.67% (n=58). The majority of bacteria belonged to Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which accounted for 31.33% of all the bacterial isolates of wounds, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18%), S. aureus (15.33%). Other isolates of wounds included Escherichia coli (8%), Enterobacter spp. (4.67%), β-hemolytic Group A Streptococci (4.67%), Klebsiella pneumonia (2.67%), Proteus mirabilis (1.33%), Proteus vulgaris (2%), Acinetobacter spp. (0.67%) and mixed cultures (7.33%). Acetic acid and Dettol showed high activity against both Gram-negative as well as Gram positive bacteria. Boric acid however showed activity against E. coli but not against other bacteria tested in this study.