BACTERIOLOGY OF INFECTED WOUNDS – A STUDY CONDUCTED AT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LAHORE

The objective of the study was to determine the commonest bacteria associated with wound infections. Descriptive study. This study was conducted at The Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore over a six months period from August 2005 to January 2006. A total of 100 positive culture samples from patients with mean age of 6.2+0.25 were analyzed. Patient history and clinical findings were collected on a pre-coded form. Pus samples or wound swabs were collected from infected wounds and were analyzed through culturing and biochemical methods for aerobic bacteria. A total of 109 bacteria were isolated from 100 samples with almost same frequency of Gram positive cocci 54 (49.54%) and Gram negative bacilli 55 (50.45%). Most frequently isolated organism was S. aureus 45 (41.28%) followed by Pseudomonas species 20 (18.35%). Wound infection remains an ongoing problem which cannot be completely eradicated. However by taking prompt control measures against the most commonly isolated organism and proper care of wound may lead to the minimization of wound infection.