Abstract

Background

Non-susceptibility of bacteria to antiseptic agents used for preoperative skin preparations threaten the effectiveness of prevention of surgical site infections. Data concerning susceptibility of multidrug resistant bacteria strains to antiseptic agents was limited at our
setting. This study presents the susceptibility of extended spectrum β-lactamases producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli
(with and without biofilm formation) to antiseptic agents used for preoperative skin preparations at zonal referral hospital in Mwanza,
Tanzania.

Methods

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted through July 2020. Presumptive extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were recovered for this study. Disc combination method was used to confirm production of ESBL while tube method was used to detect biofilms formation. Then, isolates were tested for susceptibility towards 10% povidone iodine, 70% methylated spirit, 50% hydrogen peroxide (6% of industrial H2O2 diluted in equal volume with sterile distilled water) and
2% chlorhexidine. STATA software version 13.0 was used for data analysis.

Results

A total of 31 presumptive ESBL producers were recovered and phenotypically confirmed, whereas 54.8% (n=17) were K. pneumoniae
and 45.2% (n=14) were E. coli. Five (35.7%) E. coli and seven (41.2%) K. pneumoniae had positive biofilms test results. Four (12.9%)
bacteria were non-susceptible to antiseptic agents used for preoperative skin preparations. However, none exhibited resistance towards
10% PVP-I.

Conclusion

In this study we highlight the existence of multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria with resistance to antiseptic agents used for preoperative skin preparation at a zonal referral hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania.
Keywords: antiseptic agents; biofilms; extended spectrum beta-lactamases; Escherichia coli; Klebsiella pneumoniae; multidrug resistance; surgical site infections.