Biofilm-producing bacteria linked to wound infections pose a significant clinical challenge due to their exceptional resistance to drugs. This resistance contributes to increased morbidity, adverse outcomes such as delayed healing, and escalated healthcare costs. Bacterial wound infections, with an intensifying prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria, necessitate the formulating of evidence-based decision-making processes, particularly in resource-limited healthcare scenarios.
This study examined the abundance of bacterial infections and their relationship with biofilm formation in wounds of patients attending Arba Minch General Hospital in southern Ethiopia. A total of 201 participants with clinically infected wounds were included in the cross-sectional study that spanned from June to November 2021.
The researchers collected specimens from the patients’ wounds and subjected them to a series of tests including culture in MacConkey agar, mannitol salt agar, and blood agar, biochemical tests for species identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion. They also employed a micro-titer plate method to detect the extent of biofilm formation.
The results revealed that 82% of the clinically infected wounds were culture-positive, with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most commonly isolated bacteria. Resistance to common antibiotics such as penicillin, tetracycline, and ampicillin was observed notably in Gram-positive and negative isolates. About half of the isolates were multi-drug resistant, exhibiting the biofilm-forming capacity, which was statistically linked with multi-drug resistance and prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Extended beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Gram-negatives.
The level of biofilm formation and the prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria linked with infected wounds substantiate a public health concern necessitating immediate action. Therefore, a balanced and comprehensive wound management approach alongside a robust antimicrobial stewardship program is vital. With that said, wound infections not only present a global public health issue but also have an economic impact, leading to increased morbidity and higher hospital bills. Despite the frequent prescription of antibiotics for wound infections, the success rate is often limited, particularly in low-income countries.
The study highlights the urgent need for more in-depth epidemiological investigation to comprehend changes in bacterial pathogens, resistance spread, effectiveness of existing interventions and the ubiquity of biofilm in wounds. With no similar studies conducted in the Arba Minch General Hospital previously, this investigation provides a valuable insight for the infection prevention professionals into the challenges of bacterial wound infections and antimicrobial resistance.