Microbiology of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Benin City, Nigeria
- Author:
Christopher Aye Egbe
;
Casimir Ndiokwere
;
Richard Omoregie
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
aetiology, antibacterial agents, clinical microbiology, Nigeria, prevalence, respiratory tract infections
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2011;18(2):27-31
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Lower respiratory tract infections are among the most common infectious
diseases of humans worldwide and continue to be a major cause of morbidity in Nigeria. This study
focused on determining the microbial agents of lower respiratory tract infections, the effect of age
and gender on its prevalence, and the susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates.
Methods: Sputum specimens were collected from 1539 patients with symptoms of lower
respiratory tract infections. The sputum specimens were processed to recover microbial aetiologic
agents and susceptibility profiles of bacterial isolates were determined using standard techniques.
Results: An overall prevalence of 18.91% of lower respiratory tract infections was observed
in this study. There is no difference in the prevalence of lower respiratory tract infection between
the genders (P = 0.649). The prevalence of lower respiratory tract infections increases significantly
with age (P < 0.001), with patients 71 years and older having the highest prevalence. Klebsiella
pneumoniae was the most predominant isolate causing lower respiratory tract infection while
Acinetobacter species were the least predominant isolate. The fluoroquinolones, β-lactams, and
gentamicin showed moderate to high activity.
Conclusion: Gender did not affect the prevalence, but age did. β-lactams, fluoroquinolones,
and gentamicin were the most active antibacterial agents and, therefore, the drugs of choice in
treating lower respiratory tract infections in our setting.
- Full text:W020151022550632377946.pdf
