Incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Burn Wound Infections at National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, Enugu State

Burn wound infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among burn patients in developing countries, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa recognized as the most problematic pathogen due to its intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance mechanisms. This study investigated the incidence and antibiotic resistance profiles of P. aeruginosa isolated from burn wound swabs at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, South East Nigeria. Wound swabs from 75 burn patients admitted over six months were cultured on blood agar, MacConkey agar, and cetrimide agar selective for P. aeruginosa. Confirmed isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer method and CLSI breakpoints. Biofilm formation capacity was assessed using the microplate tissue culture assay. Results showed that P. aeruginosa was isolated from 46.7 percent of wound swab cultures. Among P. aeruginosa isolates, resistance rates were 84 percent to ciprofloxacin, 76 percent to ceftazidime, 62 percent to piperacillin-tazobactam, and 28 percent to imipenem. Biofilm formation was confirmed in 89 percent of isolates, a feature directly linked to treatment failure. These high resistance and biofilm rates complicate therapeutic management of burn wound infections and highlight the need for comprehensive infection control strategies, active wound surveillance, and antibiotic stewardship in burns units across South East Nigeria. Keywords: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, burn wound infection, biofilm, antibiotic resistance, Enugu.