The Prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Uropathogenic Escherichia coli from Mouau Female Hostel Students

Aim: The study is aimed at determining the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and production of Extended-spectrum Βeta-Lactamase (ESBLs) among Escherichia coli isolates from urine samples.

Methods: A total of 35 samples of early morning mid-stream urine samples of about 10-15 ml were collected from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) female hostel students; using sterile plastic containers. Each urine sample was inoculated on MacConkey Agar (MCA). Isolates were identified based on morphological features, Gram staining, and biochemical characterization. The antibiotic susceptibility test was done by the Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar. ESBL detection was done as per Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines, using the double disc synergy test method.

Results: The study reviewed a total of 12 isolates of Escherichia coli of which is (34.29%) of which were obtained from urine samples. The susceptibility test results showed that most isolates were susceptible to Ofloxacin with 83.3% susceptibility, followed by Levofloxacin (66.7%), whereas gentamicin, nalidixic acid, cefuroxime, and cefotaxime exhibited a susceptibility rate of 33.3%. On the other hand, the highest resistance rate was to imipenem (96.7%), followed by Amoxicillin and ampiclox with 83.3%, while the least percentage resistance was observed in Ofloxacin with (8.3%) and Levofloxacin with (16.7%). Extended-spectrum Βeta-Lactamase (ESBLs) production among E. coli isolates was detected in 25.0% of the potential ESBL producers. The result of the multiple antibiotic resistance index showed that the isolate (E20) was significantly higher than other isolates with p<0.05, whereas E3, E7, E10 and E12 had same resistance pattern.

Conclusion: So drug resistance due to ESBL production is a severe threat in UTIs, narrowing down the choice of antibiotics for treatment. So, there is a need to introduce routine screening for ESBL production for all uropathogenic Escherichia coli, causing urinary tract infections.