Targeted empirical antibiotic therapy based on local microbiology and antibiotic resistance patterns is essential for the treatment of empyema thoracis. Our retrospective review of 105 pleural empyema culture and sensitivity reports aimed at determining the causative microorganisms and their antimicrobial resistance pattern. Of 105 pleural aspirate samples, 46 (43.8%) were positive on culture. Gram-negative organisms (n = 43) were the predominant isolates, the commonest of which was Klebsiella pneumoniae. It was concluded that empyema thoracis is predominantly caused by Gram-negative organisms in our locality. This should guide protocols on the initiation of empirical therapy.
Keywords: Microbiology; antibiotic; empyema; resistance; susceptibility.