Bacteriological Spectrum and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Surgical Site Infections in a Private Healthcare Facility in Southern Nigeria

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a significant cause of postoperative morbidity and prolonged hospitalisation in both public and private healthcare settings.They contribute to increased healthcare costs, delayed wound healing and adverse clinical outcomes.The microbial profile of surgical wound infections varies across institutions and geographical regions, making local bacteriological surveillance essential for effective management.This study investigated the bacteriological profile of surgical wound infections among inpatients and outpatients in a private healthcare facility in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Methods: Thirty wound swab specimens were collected from surgical patients, comprising 20 inpatients and 10 outpatients.Samples were processed using standard microbiological techniques.Primary isolation was performed on appropriate culture media, and bacteria were identified based on colonial morphology, Gram staining characteristics and relevant biochemical tests.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using the disc diffusion method, and zones of inhibition were measured in millimetres.Results: Out of the 30 specimens analysed, 27 yielded positive bacterial growth.Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated bacterium (50%), followed by Pseudomonas spp (17.9%),Streptococcus spp (10.7%),Bacillus spp (7.1%), Proteus spp (7.1%), Escherichia coli (3.6%) and Klebsiella spp (3.6%).Susceptibility testing demonstrated variable resistance patterns among isolates.Imipenem and meropenem exhibited activity against several bacteria, whereas amoxycillin showed resistance across the isolates tested.Conclusion: Surgical wound infections in this study were predominantly associated with Staphylococcus aureus, with notable antimicrobial resistance among isolates.These findings emphasise the importance of routine bacteriological investigation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing to guide appropriate therapeutic interventions.