ASSESSING THE ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF JATROPHA TANJORENSIS AGAINST PROTUES SPECIES ISOLATED FROM PATIENTS WITH WOUND INFECTIONS

ABSTRACT Proteus species, particularly Proteus mirabilis, are common pathogens in wound infections and are increasingly exhibiting resistance to conventional antibiotics. This study was aimed at investigating the efficacy of Jatropha tanjorensis in managing wound infections caused by Proteus species, known for their role in complex and resistant infections. A total of five (5) wound samples and Jatropha tanjorensis leaves were collected and processed following standard microbiological protocols. The microbial mean load of the samples ranged from .003±0.01x108 cfu/ml to 1.6±0.05x102 cfu/ml. A total of 35 test isolates were recovered out of 20.0% were Proteus species. Various phytochemicals were recovered from Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract including saponin, flavonoids, terpenoids, among others. The antimicrobial susceptibility profiling of test isolates ranged from 6.67-33.00mm with Proteus mirabilis exhibiting zones of inhibition ranging from 15.00 to 28.17mm in aqueous and ethanolic extracts comparable with the control (33.0mm). The MIC of Proteus mirabilis ranged from 12.5 to 50mg/ml comparable with 25mg/ml for the control. Thus, Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extracts exhibited potential as an alternative or complementary therapeutic agent in treating wound infections caused by Proteus species. Further research is recommended to explore the optimal dosage, mechanisms of action, and potential for integration into existing treatment protocols.