Bacteriological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility of blood culture isolates (2006 – 2011) in Douala, Cameroon

Abstract

Objective – The aim of this study was to determine bacteriological profile and antibiotics susceptibility of all bacteria identified in blood culture in the General Hospital of Douala (HGD), Cameroon. Methods – Retrospective study was carried out at the bacteriology laboratory, over six-year period (2006 – 2011), including all bacteria isolated in blood culture from hospitalized patients in all units of the General Hospital of Douala. Results – 299 non repetitive bacterial strains was collected with higher proportion of Gram negative bacilli (76%). Klebsiella pneumoniae (27.8 %), S. aureus (13.1 %) and E.coli (12 %) were the most frequent isolated species. The methicillin resistance was found for Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci respectively at 55.2 % and 72.7 %. No resistance to glycopeptides was found among the staphylococci isolates. 44.2% of Enterobacteriaceae were resistant to third generation cephalosporins and 27% had a broad spectrum betalactamase phenotype. The resistance to imipenem was found in 18.1 % of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusion – Epidemiological characteristics and antibiotics susceptibility surveillance are required to improve empiric treatment of septicemia.