Colonization and Healthcare-Associated Infections in the Intensive Care Unit at Dalal Jamm National Hospital (CHNDJ), Dakar, Senegal

Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major challenge in ICUs, especially in low- and middle-income countries, with limited data on bacterial colonization and antimicrobial resistance. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted in the ICU of Dalal Jamm National Hospital, Dakar, Senegal, from March 2023 to April 2024. Adult patients hospitalized >48 hours were included. Clinical data, invasive device exposure, microbiological findings, and antimicrobial susceptibility were analyzed. Nasal and rectal screening assessed bacterial colonization. Results Among 70 patients, HAI prevalence was 14.3%. Pneumonia (45%), urinary tract infections (27%), and bloodstream infections (18%) predominated, mainly associated with invasive devices. Gram-negative bacilli were most frequent, with Klebsiella pneumoniae (28%) leading. Multidrug resistance affected 46% of isolates. Gastrointestinal colonization was mainly by ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, nasal carriage by Staphylococcus aureus. Colonization-infection concordance was 20%. Conclusions HAIs remain frequent in this ICU, closely linked to invasive care and multidrug-resistant bacteria. Bacterial colonization is an important reservoir for subsequent infections.