Aetiology of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Benin City, Nigeria

Patients with respiratory tract infections (RTI), Pneumonia inclusive account for a large proportion of a primary care physicians (PCP) work load and a frequent cause for prescription of antibacterial agents. The study was aimed at analyzing the various isolated organisms obtained from sputum and to test their susceptibility and sensitivity to available antibiotics in use in the hospital and environ. Two hundred and forty eight patients seen over a one year period (January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005) and who were diagnosed to have lower respiratory tract infections were used for the study after an informed consent. The commonest organisms isolated were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis. Most isolates groups were sensitive to ceftazidime (CAZ), Amoxycillin/clavulanate (Augmentin), cefuroxime (CXM) and ceftriaxone (CRO). The findings from this study are of relevance in the empirical treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in this environment. Egbagbe EE, FWACP, Consultant Physician/Senior Lecturer Mordi R.m. Department of *Medicine and Medical Microbiology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P.m.b. 1111, Benin City, Nigeria. All Correspondence to: Dr Egbagbe E.e. Department Of Medicine U.b.t.h., P.m.b. 1111 Benin City.