ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PATTERNS OF PROTEUS ISOLATES FROM CLINICAL SPECIMENS

Total of 6840 clinical samples were collected from King Fahd Hospital at Medina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Clinical samples were screened for Proteus spp. It is found that Proteus spp isolates representing about 3% of all positive samples isolated from different clinical sources. Males were found to be more vulnerable than females in acquiring Proteus infections. Results showed that the greatest number of Proteus spp. isolates from clinical specimens were isolated from wound and sputum swabs specimens representing about 88% of all clinical specimens.Thirteen different antibiotics representing different families of antibiotics were tested on Proteus spp. specimens for studying its antimicrobial sensitivity pattern. Results of antimicrobial sensitivity tests revealed that imipenem (IMP) antibiotic was the most effective antibiotic against Proteus spp. with 91% of antimicrobial sensitivity. Imipenem (Imp) was followed by amikacin (AK) with 61% of antimicrobial sensitivity.Results are recommending prescribing of imipenem (IMP) antibiotic in the treatment of Proteus spp infections. It is recommended also to prescribe amikacin (AK) in the case of sensitivity to imipenem (IMP). In acute cases, Proteus infections could require use of combined antimicrobial therapy (imipenem- amikacin). Results also demonstrated that percentage of Proteus spp. infections was highest during summer season representing about 40% of infections all year along. Summer season was followed by winter season with about 32% of infections