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Abstract
Cancer and its associated treatments often compromise the immune system, predisposing patients to opportunistic infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB). This study investigated the resistance patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from cancer patients and evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of ethanolic leaf extracts of Ageratum conyzoides and Tridax procumbens at a concentration of 200 mg/mL against these MDRB pathogens. A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from cancer patients attending a tertiary healthcare facility. Bacterial isolates were identified from blood samples and screened for antibiotic susceptibility patterns. The susceptibility of MDRB isolates to the ethanolic leaf extracts of A. conyzoides and T. procumbens was assessed as a potential alternative therapy. The study revealed that breast cancer was the most prevalent type (38%) among the patient population (n = 160). In addition, the most common bacterial pathogens isolated from cancer patients included Escherichia coli (12 isolates), Klebsiella pneumoniae (15), Streptococcus pneumoniae (9), Shigella dysenteriae (10), Staphylococcus aureus (12), Klebsiella aerogenes (6), and Salmonella typhi (7). These pathogens exhibited significant multidrug resistance to conventional antibiotics. For instance, Staphylococcus aureus showed high resistance to cotrimoxazole (83%), ceftazidime (67%), erythromycin (75%), and cefuroxime (83%), whilst retaining susceptibility to gentamycin. Conversely, the ethanolic extracts of A. conyzoides and T. procumbens demonstrated inhibitory zones ranging from 8.26 ± 0.15 mm to 25.22 ± 0.83 mm and 8.30 ± 0.20 mm to 23.22 ± 0.83 mm, respectively against MDR bacterial pathogens evaluated. Findings revealed that Streptococcus pneumoniae was most susceptible to A. conyzoides (25.22 ± 0.83 mm), whilst T. procumbens exhibited notable activity against MDRB pathogens. Additionally, the combination of T. procumbens extracts and ofloxacin exhibited synergistic effects against Salmonella typhi. This study underscores the vulnerability of cancer patients to opportunistic bacterial infections and highlights the potential of A. conyzoides and T. procumbens as alternative sources of antibacterial agents. Hence, further purification and characterization of these extracts are recommended for developing effective therapeutic options against MDRB pathogens evaluated.
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Article Type: Research Article
J CLIN EXP INVEST, Volume 16, Issue 2, June 2025, Article No: em00842
https://doi.org/10.29333/jcei/16175
Publication date: 01 Apr 2025
Online publication date: 17 Mar 2025
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Article Downloads: 62
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