ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are pathogens of significant public health interest to which new antibiotics therapies are urgently needed. AIM: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of ESBLs in clinical isolates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae from patients attending the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted from April through June, 2015. A total of 140 isolates of E. coli (83.6%; n=117) and K. pneumoniae (16.4%; n=23) were cultured from clinical specimens of consenting patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility were determined using the KirbyBauer disc diffusion method. Screening and confirmation of ESBL-producing phenotypes among the clinical isolates were performed according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI, 2012). Escherichia coli and K. pneumoniae positive for ESBL phenotype were examined for the presence of TEM, SHV and CTX-M genes. RESULTS: Sixty two (44.3%) of the 140 isolates phenotypically expressed ESBLs. Of these, 83.9% (n=52) were E. coli and 16.1% (n=10) were K. pneumoniae isolates. The proportion of ESBLproducing isolates were found to be relatively higher in adults (15-65 years) than in neonates (< 28 days) (p=0.14). Majority of the isolates showed high percentage resistance to ampicillin (96%) and tetracycline (89%), but relatively low for amikacin (36%). None of the isolates were resistant to meropenem. Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producers were multidrug resistant compared to non-ESBL-producers (23%, n=14/62 versus 18% n=14/78; p=0.573). Overall, 74.2% (n=46/62) of the ESBL genotypes expressed BlaCTX-M-1 genes followed by 62.9% (n=39/62) BlaTEM iii and 16.1% (n=10/62) BlaSHV. Two (3.2%) isolates had both TEM and SHV genes, 29 (46.8%) harboured TEM and CTX-M-1, 2 (3.2%) had SHV and CTXM-1, while 4 (6.5%) harboured all three genes. None expressed genes for CTX-M 2 and CTX-M 9. In univariate comparisons, patients who reported their previous medication as having been prescribed by a Physician and those who reportedly completed their previous medication were more likely to be infected by ESBL organisms. CONCLUSION: The study showed high ESBL positive E. coli and K. pneumoniae, mostly CTXM-1 producers in Tamale Teaching Hospital. Routine laboratory ESBL detection is warranted.