Microbial Etiology of Surgical Site Infections, Bacterial Isolates and their Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns at Trauma University Hospital in Tirana, Albania

Abstract

Hospital acquired infections in general and specifically surgical site infections increase significantly the morbidity and mortality of post-surgery patients. They are considered the most frequent postoperative complication worldwide, and a major public health burden especially in low income countries. The preventability and the high treatment costs of these complications, sets the focus towards identification of the most frequent etiological factors, in order to decrease the incidence of the phenomenon in different levels. This is a retrospective study carried out from January 1 to December 31, 2023. We analysed the microbiology and antibiotic susceptibility reports of specimens accepted and examined at the laboratory department of the Trauma University Hospital, Tirana. We reported standard operating procedure on direct microscopic examination with gram staining, and the susceptibility patterns reported by millimetre scaling the zone of inhibition of the examined antibiotics disks. We reported 40% negativity rate on the examined specimens. The most frequently isolated microorganisms within the positive results were Acinetobacter Baumannii (25.4%), Staphylococcus Aureus (13.5%), and Enterococcus faecalis (10.32%). The combination of cephalosporins together with aminoglycosides was found to be the most effective antibiotic prophylaxis formulation. Continuous surveillance of bacterial profiles through variable rich, statistically significant additional studies become crucial. The results will help toward better hospital acquired infection prevention and control.

Received: 21 August 2024 / Accepted: 10 November 2024 / Published: 3 December 2024