Last update:
   24-May-2026
 

Arch Hellen Med, 43(Supplement 1), 2026, 82-91

ORIGINAL PAPER

Effect of seasonal variation on the prevalence and etiology of bloodstream infection and multiple antibiotic resistance index

R.E. Eriamiatoe,1 E.E. Ibadin,1 I.S. Osayande,1 N.L. Idemudia,1 A.A. Eghiomon,1 O.D. Aguh,1 P.E. Onuoha,1 C.A. Egbe,1 J.A. Igunma,2 R. Omoregie1,3
1Medical Microbiology, Division of Medical Laboratory Services, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City
2Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City
3Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of seasons on prevalence of bloodstream infections (BSI) and the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index.

METHOD A one-year retrospective review of laboratory records of 1,131 non-repetitive blood cultures was undertaken. The patients consisted of 624 males and 507 females with age range of one day to 100 years. The BACT/ALERT® 3D automated blood culture system was used to detect BSI. Identification and susceptibility tests of significant microbial isolates were performed using standard techniques.

RESULTS Patients who were less than one year old (p<0.0001), from orthopedic ward (p<0.0001) and their BSI were detected in the month of June (p=0.0371) had higher prevalence of BSIs. Patients were 1.5 times more likely to have BSI in the rainy season compared with the dry season (odds ratio [OR]=1.533 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.179, 1.993; p=0.0017). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most prevalent etiologic agent of BSI, and was more likely to be recovered in the rainy season (p=0.0003). Coagulase negative Staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the predominant cause of BSI in the dry season. The MAR index of isolates recovered during the rainy season (0.61±0.21) was higher (p=0.0024) than that of isolates from the dry season (0.50±0.29). Isolates recovered during the rainy season were four times more likely to have MAR index >0.2 than their counterparts recovered during the dry season (OR=4.13, 95% CI=2.240, 8.326; p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS An overall prevalence of BSI of 28.74% was observed. The BSI and MAR index were higher in the rainy season compared to the dry season. The data presented will be useful in the epidemiology and management of BSI.

Key words: Bloodstream infection, Multiple antibiotic resistance index, Prevalence, Seasonal variation.

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