PREVALENCE OF NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS AND PLASMID PROFILE OF BACTERIA ISOLATES FROM HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT

*Unegbu Nnachetam Valentine, Ezennia Obioma Jennifer, Nkwoemeka Ndidi Ethel, Emmanuel Nnabuike Ugbo, Ezebialu Chinenye Uzoamaka and Eze Ebere Mary

ABSTRACT

Nosocomial infection is an infection that is acquired in a hospital or other health care facilities like nursing home, rehabilitation facility, outpatient clinic, or other clinical settings. The aim of the study was to access the Prevalence of Nosocomial Infections and Plasmid Profile of Bacteria Isolates from Hospital Environments. A total number of 300 patients were recruited for this study. Classification of infections into sites was based on the diagnosis in the folders and the type of specimen sent to the microbiology laboratory for investigations. Subsequent identification was done based on morphology and biochemical tests. Susceptibility pattern of the isolates using the disk diffusion method was performed. Presence of plasmids was determined using the agar gel electrophoresis technique. The prevalence of nosocomial infections by site showed that urinary tract infection had the highest prevalence rate of (14.7%) and the lowest prevalence was recorded in blood stream infection (4.9%). All the 15 multiple antibiotic resistant isolates subjected to agar gel electrophoresis analysis had plasmids. All plasmid borne multidrug resistant bacteria isolates in this study were cured of their plasmid upon treatment with 10% sodium dodecyl sulphate. This study justifies the need to strengthen infection control to prevent the spread of plasmid mediated multidrug resistant bacteria within Port-Harcourt metropolis of Rivers State.

Keywords: Prevalence; Nosocomial infections; Plasmid Profile Bacteria; Hospital Environments; Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.