Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial species isolated from diarrheal stool of patients at Al-Zawiya Medicine Hospital, Libya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54361/LJMR.20.2.42Keywords:
Stool samples, Antibiotic resistance, diarrheaAbstract
Background: Bacterial diarrhea is a common health problem affecting many patients, including hospitalized patients. It is caused by various microorganisms, and these bacteria contribute to the rise in antibiotic resistance, making it a major public health issue. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of bacterial strains isolated from patients and to investigate their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics at Al-Zawiya Hospital in Al-Zawiya, Libya. Methods: The study examined stool sample collection methods for patients seen at Al-Zawiya Hospital between January 1 and July 2024. Isolated samples were cultured using standard methods. Diagnosis was established using microbiological methods, and antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: The results were analyzed descriptively, where approximately 99 stool samples were collected from individuals aged 9 to approximately 50 years. Salmonella was detected in 26 of 31 samples (78.8%), Escherichia coli in 2 of 31 samples (6%), Shigella in 1 of 31 samples (3%), Staphylococcus aureus in 1 of 31 samples (3%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 1 of 31 samples (3%). The majority of isolated strains showed susceptibility to imipenem, amikacin, and several cephalosporins, commonly used antibiotics. These results confirm the prevalence of enteric bacterial pathogens that contribute significantly to diarrhea, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Conclusion : Diarrhea is an illness that affects people of all ages. Therefore, patients with diarrhea, often accompanied by various bacterial infections, require regular monitoring and appropriate antibiotic treatment. Studies have shown that diarrhea poses a significant threat to individual health due to several factors, including the use of antibiotics, the effectiveness of which is compromised by significant bacterial resistance. Research has also revealed variations in antibiotic resistance among isolated bacteria, leading to increased risks associated with this resistance. Consequently, close monitoring is essential to limit the spread of more resistant strains and explore alternative treatments.
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