COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN AND VIRULENCE FACTORS AMONG ESBL AND NONESBL PRODUCING ESCHERICHIA COLI

Abstract

Objectives: The present study was carried out to compare the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and phenotypic characteristics in ESBL and non-ESBL producing clinically isolated E.coli.Material and Methods: A total of 100 non-duplicate consecutive isolates of E.coli were collected from various clinical specimens obtained from K.S. Hegde Charitable Hospital, Mangalore. All the isolates were studied for antimicrobial susceptibility pattern using modified Kirby-Bauer method. ESBL production was screened phenotypically by an initial screening test, which was followed by confirmatory Double disk synergy test. These isolates were screened for virulence factors such as Biofilm assay, hemolysin production and Congo red agar to detect the invasiveness of the isolates.Results: Out of the 100 E.coli isolates, 45(45%) isolates exhibited ESBL production. Among the ESBL producing isolates 62% were haemolytic, 77% exhibited Congo red uptake, and these two factors were statistically significant as compare non ESBL producing isolates, while 47%, 35% and 18% of the isolates exhibited high, moderate and low biofilm forming ability, respectively. The ESBL producing isolates were multi-drug resistant. There was statistical significance among the ESBL production and expression of virulence factorsConclusion: The present investigation revealed, a high prevalence of multiple virulence factors among the ESBL in addition to multidrug resistance when compared with non - ESBL isolates. This indicates a dire need for effective ESBL surveillance and control in the hospitals and judicious use of antibiotics among the general public.