Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated from wound infections in Al-Bayda Governorate -Yemen

BACKGROUND: Wounds compromise the skin's protective barrier, providing a favorable environment for bacterial colonization and proliferation. The rising incidence of multidrug-resistant pathogens poses a major global healthcare challenge, hindering effective infection management. AIM: To identify bacterial pathogens associated with wound infections and assess their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 139 patients with clinically suspected wound infections. Wound swabs were collected and processed using standard microbiological techniques. Isolated bacteria were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the disc diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. RESULTS: The majority of patients (27.3%) were aged 26-35 years, with 46 (33.1%) males and 93 (66.9%) females. Of 139 specimens, 108 (77.7%) yielded positive cultures. The most frequently isolated organisms were Escherichia coli (20.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (17.6%), and Citrobacter freundii (16.7%). A high level of resistance to commonly used antibiotics was observed among most isolates. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the high prevalence of bacterial wound infections in Al-Bayda Governorate, Yemen, and the alarming rates of antimicrobial resistance among the isolates. The observed resistance, particularly to first-line antibiotics, underscores the urgent need for robust antimicrobial stewardship programs to guide effective treatment strategies.