Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a major public health threat, contributing significantly to antimicrobial resistance worldwide. In pediatric departments, patients are particularly vulnerable due to immature immune systems. The present study aimed to isolate and identify bacterial strains in the pediatric services at a referral hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2023 in the pediatric units of the Chantal Biya Foundation – Yaoundé Central Hospital. A total of 56 environmental samples were collected from various surfaces after equipement: and medical equipement, Swabbing was performed using sterile swabs moistened with normal saline solution, and samples were transported to the Bacteriology Unit of the Center for the Study and Control of Infectious Diseases for microbiological analysis. Bacterial identification was performed using API 20E and API 20NE strips, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer diffusion method following CA-SFM 2022 guidelines. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0.

Results: The overall culture positivity rate was 43/56(77%). Beds (100%), intravenous poles (100%), pulse oximeters (100%), and soap dishes (100%) were the most contaminated items, followed by door handles (88%) and trolleys (88%). The cardiology-pulmonology unit and neuro-nephrology department showed the highest number of positive cultures. A total of 50 bacterial isolates were identified, comprising Gram-positive cocci, Enterobacteriaceae, and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated bacterium (n=13, 26%), followed by Raoultella ornithinolytica (n=9, 18%) and Enterobacter cloacae (n=5, 10%). Other isolates included Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=4), Burkholderia cepacia (n=4), Serratia phymuthica (n=4), and various Serratia, Citrobacter, and Enterobacter species. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high resistance rates. All S. aureus strains showed 100% resistance to penicillin G, oxacillin, ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. Among Enterobacteriaceae, R. ornithinolytica exhibited 100% resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, amoxicillin, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol. Enterobacter species were 100% resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, and cefotaxime.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates high levels of bacterial contamination and high rates of antibiotic resistance. These findings highlight urgent gaps in hospital hygiene protocols and the critical need for reinforced infection prevention measures, including improved cleaning procedures and continuous microbiological surveillance to protect vulnerable pediatric populations from healthcare-associated infections.