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A Comparative Study on the Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Klebsiella and Enterobacter Species from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital
Abstract
This paper sets to differentiate between Klebsiella and Enterobacter spp. Identification and to compare their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns at Lagos University Teaching hospital, a tertiary health institution.
From March to July 1998, a total of 300 clinical specimens were processed in the Medical Microbiology Laboratory of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Isolates were obtained from urine and swabs of wounds, ear, throat and eye. Identification was carried out by conventional methods and antimicrobial susceptibility was investigated by disk diffusion method. All isolates were tested for beta-lactamase production.
The 300 clinical samples processed yielded a total of 185 species of both Klebsiella (105 isolates) and Enterobacter (80 isolates). All isolates from both species were highly susceptible to amikacin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, aztreonam and nalidixic acid (70%). However, ofloxacin and norfloxacin were observed to be more effective on Klebsiella spp (90-93%) than on Enterbacer spp (70-75%). Sixty-three percent of Klebsiella spp and 52.2% of Enterobacter spp were susceptible to Gentamicin. The gentamicin-resistant klebsiella spp were from urine samples while the gentamicin-resistant Enterobacter spp were obtained from wound swabs. Isolates of both species were in general, highly resistant (80%) to cotrimoxazole, tetracycline and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.
Ninety-four per cent of Klebsiella spp and 91% of Enterobacter spp produced beta-lactamase. Multi-resistant strains of these organisms appear to be endemic in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, though there was no evidence of any outbreak of infections caused by these organisms in this study. The result of this study will be helpful in the empiric therapy of infections caused by Klebsiella and Enterobacter spp. In the long run, continuous surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in these organisms should aid in the development of a sound antibiotic policy in the hospital.
Key Words: Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, Comparative, Antibiotic Susceptibility.
[J. of the Nig. Infection Control Assn. Vol.3(2) 2000: 14-17]
From March to July 1998, a total of 300 clinical specimens were processed in the Medical Microbiology Laboratory of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Isolates were obtained from urine and swabs of wounds, ear, throat and eye. Identification was carried out by conventional methods and antimicrobial susceptibility was investigated by disk diffusion method. All isolates were tested for beta-lactamase production.
The 300 clinical samples processed yielded a total of 185 species of both Klebsiella (105 isolates) and Enterobacter (80 isolates). All isolates from both species were highly susceptible to amikacin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, aztreonam and nalidixic acid (70%). However, ofloxacin and norfloxacin were observed to be more effective on Klebsiella spp (90-93%) than on Enterbacer spp (70-75%). Sixty-three percent of Klebsiella spp and 52.2% of Enterobacter spp were susceptible to Gentamicin. The gentamicin-resistant klebsiella spp were from urine samples while the gentamicin-resistant Enterobacter spp were obtained from wound swabs. Isolates of both species were in general, highly resistant (80%) to cotrimoxazole, tetracycline and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.
Ninety-four per cent of Klebsiella spp and 91% of Enterobacter spp produced beta-lactamase. Multi-resistant strains of these organisms appear to be endemic in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, though there was no evidence of any outbreak of infections caused by these organisms in this study. The result of this study will be helpful in the empiric therapy of infections caused by Klebsiella and Enterobacter spp. In the long run, continuous surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in these organisms should aid in the development of a sound antibiotic policy in the hospital.
Key Words: Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, Comparative, Antibiotic Susceptibility.
[J. of the Nig. Infection Control Assn. Vol.3(2) 2000: 14-17]
