Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Extended Spectrum Betalactamase (ESBL) Producers and other Bacterial Pathogens in Kano, Nigeria

Purpose: To evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of various bacterial pathogens including extended spectrum betalactamase (ESBL) producers in Kano, Nigeria. Method: A total of 604 consecutive clinical samples obtained from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano between January and July 2010 were analyzed for bacterial pathogens using standard microbiological techniques for the isolation and identification of pathogens. Antibiotics susceptibility tests including, ESBL screening and confirmation, were carried out by disc diffusion technique using Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) criteria. Results: Ten different types of bacteria genera were observed from nine different clinical samples. E. coli was the most frequently isolated bacteria (30.5 %) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (21.3 %). ESBL producers showed high-level resistance against the quinolones, aminoglycoside and cotrimoxazole but were sensitive to carbapenems and levofloxaccin. Non-ESBL organisms showed increased resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate, ceftazidime, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline and amoxycillin. The prevalence of ESBL producers was 12.8 %. E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed ESBL production of 17.3, 14.9 and 10.0 %, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that regular surveys should be carried out in this locality to provide baseline data that would always be of clinical relevance in the treatment of patients and to detect the emergence of multiple antibiotic resistance strains.