Antibiotic resistance patterns among bacterial pathogens isolated from bloodstream infections at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Yanchumba, Eric and Deku, John Gameli and Bedzina, Israel and Mensah, Lydia Kessewah and Ablordey, Kenneth and Banahene, Korsah Kwabena and Sey, Cosmos and sar Kennedy, Kaizah and Mensah, Priscilla Osei and Afeke, Innocent and Duedu, Kwabena (2026) Antibiotic resistance patterns among bacterial pathogens isolated from bloodstream infections at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. Frontiers in Bacteriology, 5. ISSN 2813-6144

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Abstract

Background

Bloodstream infections remain a major public health concern globally and are increasingly associated with multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Limited data on antimicrobial resistance patterns among bloodstream isolates in Ghana hinder appropriate empirical therapy, particularly in maternal and child health settings. The study aimed to assess the prevalence, bacterial causes, and antibiotic resistance patterns of bloodstream infections, including multidrug resistance, extensively drug-resistance, pandrug-resistance, extended-spectrum β-Lactamase and carbapenemase-producing pathogens, and their association with patient demographics at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.

Methodology

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2025 at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Blood samples were collected from 229 suspected bloodstream infection patients referred for culturing and susceptibility testing, and were cultured using the BD BACTEC automated system. Isolates were identified and tested for antibiotic susceptibility using the Phoenix BD BACTEC automated machine. Data were analysed using Stata version 15, applying descriptive and logistic regression analyses with significance set at p<0.05.

Results

Out of 229 participants, 61.6% had positive blood cultures. Among the Gram negatives, Escherichia coli (22.7%) and Klebsiella species (13.5%) were the predominant isolates. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (16.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (14.9%) were the major Gram-positive causing bloodstream infections. The highest resistance was recorded against cefazolin (54.6%) and ceftriaxone (45.4%), while amikacin (3.5%) and daptomycin (4.3%) showed the greatest efficacy. ESBL and carbapenemase production among the Gram-negative isolates were observed in 27.2% and 12.0% of isolates, respectively. Overall, 96.5% of isolates exhibited some form of resistance, with 81.6% classified as multidrug resistant, 8.5% as extensively drug-resistant, and 5.0% as pandrug-resistant. Longer hospital stays significantly increased infection risk (aPR=2.86; 95% CI: 1.92–4.27; p<0.001).

Conclusion

The high prevalence of multidrug resistant bloodstream pathogens at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, particularly Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli , underscores the urgent need for enhanced infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and periodic surveillance of resistance patterns to guide effective empirical therapy.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.3389/fbrio.2026.1735345
Dates:	Date Event 14 January 2026 Accepted 3 February 2026 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	bloodstream infection, antibiotics resistance, multidrug resistance, extended-spectrum b-Lactamase, carbapenemase
Subjects:	CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-01 - biosciences > CAH03-01-02 - biology (non-specific)
Divisions:	Life and Health Sciences > Life and Sports Sciences
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2026 16:00
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2026 16:00
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16844

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