Bacteriological profile of community peritonitis operated in a Moroccan Hospital

Abstract

<b>Introduction.</b> Peritonitis is characterized by acute inflammation of the peritoneum, often resulting from digestive organ perforation or intra-abdominal septic focus. It may be of either infectious or non-infectious origin. The bacteria involved are those of the digestive flora (<i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> and anaerobes), while Gram-positive cocci and yeasts can be isolated in nosocomial infections. Our study aims to isolate and identify the germs involved in community-acquired peritonitis in order to assess their susceptibility to the antibiotics available in our country. <b>Methods.</b> This is a retrospective study of the bacteriological profile of community peritonitis in Rabat Morocco. A total of 150 adult patients with peritonitis were admitted and samples were collected intraoperatively for bacteriological examination between 1 July 2022 and 30 April 2023. <b>Results.</b> Among the 150 patients, 101 (67.8%) were males and 49 (32.2%) were females, with a sex ratio (M/F) of 2 : 1. The mean age of the patients was 40.5 years±20.12. The distribution of bacteria was dominated by <i>Escherichia coli</i> (44%). Overall, 70% of <i>E. coli</i> isolated exhibited resistance to ampicillin, whereas no resistance to ampicillin has been reported for <i>Enterococcus</i>. <b>Discussion.</b> In the present study, we were interested in the bacteriological profile of community peritonitis in order to adapt the antibiotic therapy to our bacterial ecology. Our findings indicate a concerning trend of increasing resistance among <i>E. coli</i> to the commonly used amoxicillin/clavulanic acid combination in our clinical setting. <b>Conclusion.</b> Consequently, there is a need to reassess the empiric antibiotic prescribed for the management of community-acquired peritonitis.