Pressure ulcers in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: subsidies in microbiological identification

Objective: To determine the prevalence of bacterial species in pressure ulcers (PU) in patients with spinal cord injury treated by a Physically Handicapped Association. Method: A descriptive, cross- sectional, quantitative study, conducted in a northeastern city from 2009 to 2010. The sample was consecutive, not probabilistic and comprised 20 individuals with spinal cord injury and PU being treated in the Association and without antibiotic therapy. Samples were collected from exudates of PU, using sterile swabs, plated on Blood Agar plates and incubated at 35 degrees C for 24 hours. For identification of microorganisms were employed biochemical tests. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: The six microorganisms were: S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. saprophyticus, Proteus spp., Escherichia coli and Enterobacter spp. Conclusion: Additional prospective microbiological investigations are needed to assess the prevalence of pathogens in patients with PU injured thus instituting, nutritional, therapeutic and educational programs that reduce bacterial colonization and infection.