The Bacteriology of Rhinosinusitis at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Background: Bacterial sinusitis is caused by S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis and anaerobic bacteria whose treatment has become highly difficult because of increased antimicrobial resistance rates.

Objectives: The study was aimed to determine the bacteriology of rhinosinusitis at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, North West,

Ethiopia.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on nasal discharge cultures and socio-demographic data of age, sex, and patient settings; bacteriological analysis were processed from September 2003 to June 2007. Data were retrieved from patient records from July 01- 30, 2008. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done using the disc diffusion method.

Results: Of the 288 nasal discharges, 162 (56.3%) were from male patients. Of the total cultures, 112 (38.9%) were found culture positive. The most predominant bacteria isolates were S. aureus 75 (67%), Klebsiella species 11 (9.8%), and Coagulase negative staphylococci 10 (8.9%). One hundred and three (92%) isolates were resistant to two or more antimicrobial agents.

The highest resistance rates were observed for ampicillin 100 (89.3%), penicillin G 80 (71.4%), and tetracycline 79 (70.5%), whereas the least resistance rates were observed for gentamicin, 17 (15.2%).

Conclusion: In the study area, antimicrobial resistances were very high for bacterial isolates of nasal discharges. It was noticed that the frequently involved bacteria in rhinosinusitis were not recovered. Thus, further studies on bacteriology of rhinosinusitis need to be conducted for appropriate antimicrobial therapy.