Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Bacterial Pathogens Causing Surgical Site Infections among Post-Operative Mothers at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Uganda

Abstract

Muyingo Yusuf*, Nakijoba Jawuhala, Olwee Isaac Eluma, Hassan Muhammad, Angwiunzi Alfred Koma and Kalyetsi Rogers

Surgical site infections (SSIs) significantly contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality, with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) complicating effective management. This study assessed the bacterial profiles and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, emphasizing AMR, among post-operative mothers at Kawempe National Referral Hospital. Swab samples from infected surgical sites were cultured and tested against a panel of antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results revealed predominant pathogens, notably Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with varying susceptibility profiles. Notably, multidrug-resistant strains, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), exhibited resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as penicillins and aminoglycosides, but remained susceptible to vancomycin and imipenem. These findings underscore the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship and routine susceptibility testing to curb AMR in this setting.

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