Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Bacteria Isolated at the Central Laboratory of the National Hospital Center of Nouakchott

Authors: Mohamed Ahmed MMS and Mohamed Lemine Salem

DOI: 10.23880/oajmb-16000317

Volume 10, Issue 1

Abstract

This retrospective study aims to analyze the antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria isolated at the central laboratory of the National Hospital Center of Nouakchott, Mauritania, over a period of two years (January 2020 - December 2021). A total of 511 non-duplicated clinical isolates were examined, from a diverse range of biological samples, including urine, pus, genital swabs, puncture fluids and blood cultures. All samples were taken from hospitalized and ambulatory patients in Nouakchott and only those with complete identification and sensitivity profiles were included. Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) accounted for 78.3% of isolates, while Gram-positive cocci (GPC) accounted for 21.7% of strains. GNB were mainly represented by enterobacteria (98.0%), and Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated species (54.8%). The Gram-positive cocci were mainly Staphylococcus aureus (17.8%). Susceptibility testing was performed using the VITEK® 2 system and agar diffusion methods in accordance with EUCAST and CA-SFM recommendations. They revealed alarming levels of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. E. coli showed 80.1% resistance to extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and 33.6% resistance to ciprofloxacin, with 13.2% of isolates producing extended- spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). K. pneumoniae showed an increasing prevalence and increasing resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems. It also showed reduced efficacy on all methicillin species. The prevalence of ESBL in this species was 23.9% and its resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems increased (4.8%). In the face of rising resistance, the study recommends rational use of antibiotics, reinforced microbiological surveillance and awareness-raising among medical staff and the general public to limit self-medication and the spread of multi-resistant bacteria.

Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance; Bacteria; Ambulatory Patients; Microbiological Surveillance; Antibiotics

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