Phenotypic and Molecular Detection of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase in Escherichia coli from Patients in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Medical Services, Abuja, Nigeria

This work was done in collaboration between all authors. Authors AB and BEB conducted the experiments. Author YBN designed the study and coordinated the final manuscript writing. Author IHN supervised the study. Author RHA managed the data analyses. Author SKP managed the literature search and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors read the final manuscript. ABSTRACT Aim: The study was conducted to determine the presence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) among Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the urine of patients in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Medical Services, Abuja, Nigeria using a phenotypic and molecular method. Methodology: Forty five (45) confirmed E. coli recovered from urine of patients with suspected UTIs were obtained; Phenotypic detection of ESBL was done on isolates resistant to cefotaxime and ceftazidime by the double disc synergy test method. Molecular detection of ESBL genes in phenotypically confirmed ESBL producers was done using Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: Of the 40 cefotaxime and ceftazidime-resistant isolates tested, 12 (30.0%) were phenotypically confirmed as ESBL producers. ESBL genes were detected in the order ( bla TEM : bla SHV : bla CTX-M ): 75.0%: 58.3%: 25.0%. Some (16.7%) of the ESBL isolates harboured both bla TEM and bla SHV ; and some harboured other combinations of the ESBL namely bla TEM / bla CTX-M (8.3%), bla SHV / bla CTX-M (8.3%) and bla TEM / bla SHV / bla CTX-M (8.3%). Conclusion: Many of the E. coli isolates were ESBL producers; and they harboured bla TEM genes most frequently. Further studies on molecular diversity of the ESBL producing E. coli from urine in the study location should be carried out.