Prevalence of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae in clinical specimens

Abstract

Background and objectives: Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) are broad spectrum β-lactamase enzymes found in variety of Enterobactriaceae. Most strains producing these enzymes become highly effective at inactivating various β- lactam antibiotics and are frequently resistant to many other classes of antibiotics. The incidence of infection due to ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae has markedly increased in recent years. The present work was undertaken to study the prevalence of ESBL producing Enterobactriaceae in clinical specimens at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A total of 313 culture isolates of Enterobactriaceae obtained from different clinical specimens were included. All the isolates were subjected to screening tests for ESBL production & later for confirmation by phenotypic confirmatory combination disc diffusion test. Results: Out of 313 strains tested, 248 were short listed as potential ESBL producer by screening test and 200(63.89%) were confirmed to be ESBL producers. ESBL rates were high among Klebsiella oxytoca (89.47%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (71.87%), and Escherichia coli (62.19%). They were commonly isolated from blood (92.30%), CSF (78.57%) and Urine (65.21%). The multidrug resistance was significantly higher among ESBL producers than in non-ESBL producers (p value of