Plasmid-encoded Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria of Surgical Wound Isolates from Three Hospitals in Akoko Land

Introduction: The study evaluates a rapid and dependable method of identifying plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistant bacteria isolated from surgical wound samples of twenty-nine patients from three General hospitals in Akoko South West (Iwaro Oka), Akoko North East (Ikare), and Akoko North West (Irun),Ondo State, Nigeria, using standard microbiological techniques. Materials and Methods: Antibiotic sensitivity test (AST) was carried out, plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistant bacteria were determinedand plasmids were cured. Results: Seven bacteria were isolated, two (2) were Gram-positive: Staphylococcus aureus  and Streptococcus viridians, and five (5) Gram-negative Enterobacter agglomerans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Morganella morganii biogrp 1 and Serratia liquefaciens. The total bacterial counts ranged from 4.3 x 104 to 9.9 x 104cfu/ml. The highest colony count (9.9 x 104 cfu/ml) was obtained from General Hospital, Iwaro-Oka, while the least (4.3 x 104 cfu/ml) was obtained from Irun General Hospital. The AST result showed that most isolates were sensitive to some of the antibiotics within the range of 7 mm to 25 mm zones of inhibition, while only strains of Pseudomonas.fluorescens were resistant to ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, amoxicillin, gentamicin, augmentin, sparfloxacin, tarivid, and septrin. Four out of the five resistant  Pseudomonas.  fluorescens strains had plasmid bands ranging from 2.27 kbp to 23.13 kbp molecular weight with thick bands. Discussion: the plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance bacteria were sensitive to the same antibiotics which were initially resistant. It was recommended that increased attention be paid to stricter infection control practices across the three local government areas. Conclusion: Health authorities should include profile epidemiology in infection control policies to detect the resistance level of isolates and adopt effective methods of administration of antibiotics before widespread infection.