Isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus in patients with surgical site infection at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus, especially Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a major health problem recognized as the most important nosocomial pathogen, often causing postoperative wound infections. Antibiotic resistance by MRSA has grown to be common, and resistance to almost all antibiotics has been found among these strains. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and associated risk factors of S. aureus in patients with surgical site infections in an Ethiopian hospital. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1, 2011 to March 30, 2012 among patients with surgical site infections at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Debre Markos, Ethiopia. All wound swabs obtained from patients with surgical site infections during the study period were cultured on mannitol salt agar media which is selective for S. aureus. Isolated strains of S. aureus were tested for antibiotic susceptibility patterns using standard disc diffusion technique, and interpretation of resistance was done based on Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute criteria. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to assess the risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 184 surgical patients who had developed surgical site infection, S. aureus was isolated from 73 (39.7%) cases. Out of the 73 isolates of S. aureus, 36 (49.7%) were MRSA. Among the study participants, prevalence of MRSA was found to be 19.6%. The clinical isolates showed >80% level of resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin G, erythromycin, gentamicin and cotrimoxazole whereas <50% level of resistance was observed against clindamycin, oxacillin, tetracycline and vancomycin. MRSA strains showed resistance ranging from 5.6% (vancomycin) to 100% (cotrimoxazole). Of the following risk factors: sex, age, pus consistency, duration of operation, type of surgery, ward and hospital stay, laparotomy type of surgery was identified as a risk factor for infection by S. aureus. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of S. aureus and/or MRSA infection in surgical and gynaecology & obstetrics wards of Debre Markos Referral Hospital was found to be high. The majority of isolates were highly resistant to major antimicrobial agents

Hybrid effect of fibre mesh and short fibres on the biaxial bending behaviour of TRC

Textile mesh-reinforced concrete (TRC) and mortar have been studied in recent years. However, current testing methods are focused on simply supported members under uniaxial bending; these are inadequate for analysis of a biaxially tensioned fibre mesh and incapable of revealing the biaxial behaviour of a TRC panel. Moreover, the fibres can be damaged by the alkalinity of concrete. To overcome this inadequacy, a series experiment of two-way panels is carried out. The methodology used here consists of the experiment and analysis of experimental data, Suitable fibres are selected based on alkali resistance; the effect of fibre meshes on the biaxial bending capacity of the two-way TRC slabs is studied. By addressing the disadvantages of brittle fibre mesh-reinforced concrete compared with conventional reinforced-concrete panels, a significant improvement in the ductility of a TRC panel with steel fibres is achieved. Following the analysis of the experimental data, it can be concluded that a conventional steel mesh with reinforcement ratio of 0·2% can be replaced by a combination of glass or basalt fibre mesh and steel fibres.National Natural Science Foundation of China. Grants: 51578109 and 51421064