ENTEROCOCCUS ISOLATES IN CLINICAL SAMPLES FROM IN-PATIENTS IN UYO, NIGERIA

Victor Nelson Abasiubong, Grace Michael Ikon, Chijioke Patrick Amadi

Abstract: In this study, the prevalence of Enterococci from 3 clinical samples (wound, urine and stool) of patients attending University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and Anua General Hospital and their virulence factors were investigated. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted and data obtained were analyzed statistically. Two hundred samples, including Urine, Wound and Stool were obtained and cultured by standard methods. Isolates obtained were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibilities and the presence of virulence factors. Isolates obtained were Enterococcus faecalis (56.7%), Enterococcus faecium (26.5%), Enterococcus durans(10.5%) and Enterococcus gallinarium(5.3%). The prevalence of Enterococci species in the clinical samples from the two hospitals was 9.5% of which more isolates were obtained from University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (11.4%) than Anua General Hospital (6.5%). The difference in the prevalence of Enterococci isolates among the subjects in the two hospitals was statistically significant (9.5%). The isolates showed high resistance to Erythromycin (89.5%), Gentamycin (84.2%) and Vancomycin (68.4%) while the susceptibility to Ampicillin and Aztreonam was seen with increasing frequency. The virulence factors detected among Enterococci species were haemolysin and biofilm formation. The production of biofilm in Enterococcus faecalis (63.6%) were comparatively higher than Enterococcus faecium (60.0%), also the production of hemolysin were comparatively higher in E. faecalis (81.7%) than E. faecium (60.0%). The presence of these pathogens in patients and elaboration of virulence factors indicates a possible outbreak of nosocomial infections by these pathogens in hospital settings; hence, there is need for regular monitoring of these pathogens in hospital laboratories to curb the emergence of these infections.