ABSTRACT
Although antimicrobial resistance is a commonly used term, it is not easy to create a common definition. It is used broadly, to describe a situation whereby microbial organisms become less susceptible to the antimicrobial agents used to eliminate or control them. Antimicrobial resistance threatens the world, and can lead to epidemics of massive proportions if preventive actions are not taken. Mechanisms contributing to antibiotic resistance varies widely, including enzyme production that inactivates the drug; modification of drug targets sites, preventing binding; reduction of permeability to the drug; production of alternative metabolic pathways that bypass the drugs target pathway; and the use of various pumps to export antibiotics or prevent the drug from reaching a bacteria intracellular target.The aim of this study was to isolate and determine the prevalence of MDRE among outpatients presented at two health facilities (Evboutubu and Central hospital) in Egor and Oredo LGA respectively in Benin City, Nigeria.
A total of 38 urine samples were collected between February and May 2021 and processed according to standard microbiological methods for the isolation and identification of Escherichia coli. Antimicrobial susceptibility test of the isolates was determined using Agar disk diffusion technique. Out of the 38 urine samples collected, 29 were from females and 8 were from male, whose ages were from 6 - ≥ 50 years. The results revealed that 18 (47.4%) were positive for E.coli with high prevalence among female patients (12/38, 66.7%) compared to male patients (6/38, 33.3%). High prevalence of E.coli was also reported among patients aged 18-24 years. High prevalence was also reported among patients receiving 11,000-90,999 Naira per month (38.9%). Out of the 18 positive samples, 17 (94.4%) samples were reported positive for Multi-drug resistant E.coli with high prevalence among the female (64.7%).
Findings from this study revealed that MDRE poses a potential public health risk and therefore, MDR awareness and hygienic precautions should be taken and also further research could establish a permanent solution to this problem.
