The distribution of extended-spectrum Beta-Lactamase genes in Fomites, healthcare workers, and patients from two hospitals in Lagos state, Nigeria

Abstract

Antibiotics resistance is a rapidly emerging issue through the misuse of antibiotics to treat human and animalrelated infections. The use of beta-lactams has increased considerably since its discovery so also resistant genes leading to Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBL) mediated by the presence of bla_CTX-M , bla_TEM and bla_SHV genes present in most Gram-negative bacteria. This study aimed to detect the widespread distribution of ESBL genes from fomites, healthcare workers, and patients suffering from urinary tract infection in two hospitals in  Lagos state, Nigeria. A total of 150 swab samples were collected from fomites, health care workers, and cathetersof patients suffering from urinary tract infection (UTI). Antibiotics susceptibility test was performed by Kirby- Bauer technique according to CLSI guidelines. Organisms that tested positive phenotypically for ESBL were subjected to PCR for molecular analysis. ESBL prevalence rate of 21.8% and a carbapenemase-resistance rate of 16.7% were recorded. The ESBL producing isolates showed the highest resistance to ceftriaxone (82.4%) and the least resistance to tigecycline (5.9%). The existence of bla_CTX-M and bla_TEM was detected in 76.5% and 17.6% of the isolates respectively, while bla encoding gene was not detected in this study. The distribution of bla_SHV genes detected in this study is of great concern which necessitates strict control measures in the usage of antibiotics especially the third-generation cephalosporin. In summary, the presence and distribution of ESBL encoding genes within two hospitals in Lagos were tested and the highest occurrence was recorded in bla_CTX-M gene  reducing and limiting the available treatment option for infections.