Detection of blaVIM Gene in β-Lactam Resistant E. coli Isolated from Clinical Samples in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative bacterium, is commonly associated community and hospital-acquired infections, with significant antibiotic resistance implications for public health. This study aimed to detect the blaVIM gene in E. coli strains isolated from the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles De Gaulle (CHUP-CDG) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. E. coli strains were isolated from various biological samples (urine, pus, blood, stool, and cerebrospinal fluid) from 2009 to 2013 at CHUP-CDG. Antibiotic susceptibility testing for cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and imipenem was performed using the disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. Classical PCR was used to identify the blaVIM gene. The susceptibility test showed high resistance of strains to third generation cephalosporins. The resistance rate was 82.86% (29/35), 80.00% (28/35) and 11.42% (4/35) for cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and imipenem, respectively. Analysis of PCR products revealed that 11.42% (4/35) of strains harbored the blaVIM gene. Significantly, 75.00% (3/4) of strains with the blaVIM gene were isolated from urine samples. The present study demonstrated the presence of the blaVIM gene in E. coli resistant strains to β-lactams at CHUP-CDG. Our results suggest the presence of other resistance genes in view of the low rate of blaVIM found in resistant strains. Surveillance measures are necessary to prevent the spread of these resistant strains.