ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of multidrug resistant (MDR) and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacterial isolates in clinical samples from three (3) hospitals (Stella Obasanjo Hospital, University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Faith Mediplex) in Benin City, Nigeria. Pure cultures of 32 isolates from wound swab, urine, stool, high vaginal swab (HVS) and ear swab were obtained from the hospitals (with consent of the patients) between November, 2018 and January, 2019. The isolates were presumptively identified using standard cultural/biochemically techniques; and screened for ESBL production using the double-disc synergy test. Identity of selected isolates was confirmed molecularly via 16S rRNA partial sequence analysis. The antibiogram of selected isolates was evaluated and interpreted using the disk diffusion method as described by Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute. The study revealed that 10 out of 32 (31%) isolates exhibited MDR phenotypes; with four (4) (12.5%) of them manifesting ESBL production. The isolates included Staphylococcus caprae ATCC 35538 (ESBL producer), Staphylococcus sciuri subsp. rodentium (ESBL producer), Escherichia coli strain JCM 1689, Enterobacter cancerogenus strainLMG 2693, Shigella flexineri stainATCC 29903 (ESBL producer), Proteus mirabilis ATCC 29906, Esherichia fergusonii ATCC 35469 (ESBL producer), Shigella flexineri stainATCC 29903 and Shigella sonnei strain CECT 4887. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates showed that the organisms were highly susceptible to imipenem (100%), vancomycin (80%) and netilimicin (70%); whereas, they were highly resistant to ceftazidime (100%), oxacillin (100%), cefotaxime (100%), tetracycline (80%), ceftazidime/clavulanate (70%), and cefotaxime/clavulanate (70%). The study demonstrated a considerable prevalence of MDR/ESBL producing bacterial strains in clinical samples obtained from hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria. It is therefore imperative on stakeholders to institute effective hospital-based infection prevention/control and antibiotic stewardship programs aimed at limiting the spread of multidrug resistant bacteria in Nigeria and beyond.
