A Retrospective Cross Sectional Study of Blood Culture Results in a Tertiary Hospital , Ekiti , Nigeria

The current study was conducted to determine the epidemiology and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bacteria isolated from blood of septicemic patients for improved antibiotic therapy. A threeyear descriptive study was done at Microbiology Laboratory, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, from April 2012 to April 2015. Information compiled from patients’ records includes age, sex, isolated organisms and antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Three hundred and thirteen blood cultures were collected from neonatology and pediatrics wards, Out Patients’ Department (OPD) and from other adult patients. Forty one culture plates yielded mono microbial growth (no polymicrobial growth), giving an incidence of 13.1% positive blood culture (N = 41/313). There were 58.4% Gram negative bacilli and 41.6% Gram positive cocci in the microbial growth. Bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus 34% (14/41), Klebsiella species 22% (9/41), Enterococci 17% (7/41), Proteus species 12% (5/41), Escherichia coli 7% (3/41) and Streptococcal pneumoniae 7% (3/41). There was a (35%) higher occurrence of septicemia in neonates than in any other age groups in the hospital. Bacterial sensitivity to 13 antibiotic agents was determined by antibiotics disc diffusion using modified Kirby Bauer’s method. Gram-positive organisms showed a higher antibiotic sensitivity ranging from 14% 100% than the Gram-negative bacteria (11% 80%). Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella species are the most prevalent organisms. The third generation Cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone) and Floroquinolone (Levofloxacin, Ofloxacin) have proved reliable for management of these blood infections. Corresponding author.


Introduction
Septicemia is a common condition that is highly lethal to both pediatric and adult hospitalized patients [1].The prognosis of neonatal septicemia in Nigeria has remained poor, with survival reports of 59% to 67% [1]- [3].Blood culture remains a gold standard for the determination of microbial agents of septicemia.
Types and predominance of bacterial isolates and antibiotic susceptibility pattern are influenced by geographical location, previous antimicrobial agents used, age, pre-and co-morbid conditions and immune status.During the past decade, a change from predominance of Gram-negative to Gram-positive bacteria has occurred [3] [4].However, virtually any microorganism can cause infection in severely immune-suppressed patients.
Low pathogen culture yield often seems to characterize adult bacteremias, hence the need for adequate blood volume for blood culture in adults [5].Two to three paired sets of blood cultures (an aerobic and an anaerobic bottle or two aerobic bottles) are recommended for any septic episodes.
Increase in cases of malignancies and use of chemotherapy has led to significant clinical re-emergence of anaerobic bacteremia [8].Thus, use of aerobic and anaerobic paired set of bottles most often results in significant pathogen culture yield compared to two aerobic culture bottles [8].
Large scale antibiotic abuse has led to emergence of wide spread resistance [6].Antibiotic resistance has much negative socio-economic impact in developing societies such as Nigeria [1]- [3].Blood culture is out of reach to some hospitals in resource poor regions of the world.Periodic bacteriologic surveillance through blood cultures with the antimicrobial susceptibility testing therefore is a necessity [2] [7].
We hereby describe the pattern of bacterial isolates and the antibiotic sensitivity in clinical diagnosis of septicemia seen in Ekiti, western Nigeria.The study will necessitate antimicrobial stewardship programs in this locale.

Method
This descriptive study reviewed the three year records of 313 blood culture samples processed in Medical Microbiology Laboratory of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) from April, 2012 to April, 2015.
Epidemiologic data were retrieved from the register/record book of blood culture results in the Medical Microbiology laboratory.As many with suspected septicemic condition that were referred from the clinics and wards of the hospital to the laboratory for blood culture were enrolled for the study irrespective of age, sex and status.

Sample Collection
A paired set of blood samples was collected in aseptic condition prior to any antibiotic medication, each from a different site of the body.One milliliter sample of blood from neonates was inoculated into 10mls of blood culture broth and 5 ml sample of blood from children (>28/7 -14 yrs) was collected and introduced into 50 ml of blood culture broth, while 10 ml sample was collected from age group above 14 years (>14 yr-adult) and inoculated into 50 ml broth respectively (brain heart infusion broth [1:10 or 1:5 dilution]).This was done by clinicians, trained nurses or trained laboratory staff by applying sterile procedures.

Bacteriological Processing
Brain Heart Infusion broth (Oxoid UK) inoculated with blood was transported to the laboratory and incubated at 37˚C for 7 days.Growth in both bottles assigned for each patient was considered positive.All the bottles were examined for turbidity, hemolysis, and pellicle formation.Subcultures were performed at 24 hours, 72 hours and on the 7th day.Final subcultures were done on the 7th day before reporting culture as negative.The subcultures were on Blood agar and Mac Conkey agar plates and were incubated overnight at 37˚C in aerobic atmosphere while chocolate agar plates were incubated in 5% carbon dioxide (CO 2 ).Growth obtained was examined for colony and Gram-staining characteristics.Conventional biochemical tests were performed on inocula from purity plates using standard microbiological methods [9].

Analysis of Data
Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.00 software.Chi-square (X 2 ) was used to compare association between proportions.And P-value of <0.05 was considered significant at 95% confidence level.

Ethical Consideration
Ethical clearance was obtained from Hospital Ethics Committee of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.

Discussion
The study has demonstrated the bacterial antibiotic sensitivity pattern in septicemic patients in western Nigeria.The rate (13.1%) of positive culture results was lower than some earlier studies in Nigeria, such as 18.2% [1], 24.5% [2], 44.9% [3], 30.8% [11], 33.1% [12], 34.4% [13].It was as much lower than some other studies outside the country namely, 22.9% [14], 24.5% [15], 42% [16].However, our report was higher than some other studies in and outside Nigeria; 4.1% [17], 10.7% [18].The rate of positive cultures (pathogen yield per cultures) of 35% in neonates was more compared to the adults and other pediatrics age groups (Figure 3).The high incidence of positive culture in neonates in the study may either suggest that neonatologists were more exact in their clinical impressions or may be attributed to higher rate septicemia due to immaturity of immune system of the new born, high rate home delivery, low socio-economic status of the parents, poor knowledge of good hygiene practices or bottle feeding [7].However, this seeming contradiction seen in older age groups may be due to ingestion of antibiotics prior to blood sample collection, a situation that lowers the true positive rate in the adult population in an environment of inappropriate antibiotics use like ours.
Sterile blood culture contributed 87% in the study.According to studies [1] [19], most Nigerian patients indulge in self antibiotic medication before presenting to hospital, which may account for the high incidence of blood culture negativity.This quagmire can be overcome by newer non growth dependent diagnostics such as Polymerase chain reaction and Latex agglutinations; which unfortunately, are not readily available in most medical laboratory practices in Nigeria.
In similarity to some other studies [1] [2] [20]- [22]; S. aureus and Klebsiella species were the predominant causative agents of septicemia in the study.Gram-positive bacteria showed 14% to 100% antibiotic susceptibility to the available antibiotics, while the Gram-negative bacteria had 11% to 80%.This suggests a higher rate of  resistance in Gram negative than in Gram positive bacteria.The common empirical drugs (Trimethoprimsulphamethoxazole, Ampicillin, Penicillin, Chloramphenicol and Erythromycin) showed low activity (14% -50%) to the predominant pathogen, S. aureus.These are drugs that are easily bought over the counter and are sold by drug hawkers.Similar to other studies done in Nigeria (Benue and Calabar) [1] [3], Gentamycin remained averagely 60% effective.Being an injectible, gentamicin may not easily be abused.The third generation cephalosporin (Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime) tested had the most effective anti-bacterial activity.Unfortunately this group of antibiotics is readily hydrolysed by Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase enzyme (ESBL) in Enterobacteriacea encoded in Temoneira (TEM) or sulfhydryl variable genes [1].
The floroquinolones (Levofloxacin, Ofloxacin) were almost as effective as the third generation cephalosporins.However, ciprofloxacin is losing grip in this study (about 10% lower effect than the levofloxacin).Therefore rational use of floroquinolones as a back bone in antibiotics armamentarium must be encouraged [23]- [25].
The driving force in bacterial antibiotic resistance includes poor infection control practices and irrational antibiotics usage.Therefore, antibiotic restriction, combination therapy and antibiotic cycling may help to control the emergence of resistance [24].
There was a lack of systematic selection of the study population because of the peculiar nature of retrospective study.A true representation was not reflected because of a relatively low sample size over the study time-frame.Again, non inclusion of anaerobic cultures must have contributed to low pathogen culture yield result in the study.

Conclusion
The present study shows a high incidence of bacterial resistance to most common empiric antibiotics.Therefore, there is a need to implement antibiotic stewardship programs across our health care facilities.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Age distribution of patients with suspected septicemia at EKSUTH from April 2012 to April 2015.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Frequency of the bacterial isolates from septicemic patients at Ekiti state university teaching hospital from April 2012-April 2015.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Frequency of positive culture results according to ages of the sample populations in Ekiti state university teaching hosp from April 2012 to April 2015.

Table 1 .
Age groups of septicemic patients and their bacterial isolates at Ekiti state university teaching hospital from April 2012 to April 2015.

Table 2 .
Antibiotic sensitivity of the bacterial isolates from the sample population in Ekiti state university teaching hospital, April 2012 to April 2015.