Increasing Prevalence of ESBL Producing Bacteria from Ganga Raam Hospital, Lahore: Threatening remark

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microbes develop physical, physiological and behavioral responses against all chemical substances that normally kill them or check their growth. Extended Specturm Beta Lactamse-producing organisms exhibit co-resistance to wide range of antibiotics, moreover, inoculum effect and substrate specificity, their detection has become a major challenge The data obtained from this study is important for identifying emerging new pathogens in patients of Lahore
and enables the development of targeted approaches to help control this threatening medical concern
Methods: Clinical samples (n=60) of patients were collected from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore and most of the samples were of
the urine (n=25), followed by blood (n=14), pus (n=14), and sputum (n=7). Multidrug resistant bacteria were isolated and
biochemical tests were performed for the genus and species identification. Further, combination disc test and Epsilometer
test (E- test) were performed for detection of Extended spectrum beta lactamase production (ESBLs).

Results: The frequency of bacterial isolates E. coli, Enterobacter and Klebsiella pneumonia were 59%, 23%, 18% respectively. After
ESBL detection test 60% (n=36) were found ESBLs positive and about (n=24) were ESBLs negative respectively. ESBL producing strains of Enterobacteriaceae have now become as a significant issue in hospitalized and community patients. These ESBL producing bacteria are major cause of urinary tract infection, septicemia, hospital-acquired pneumonia, intraabdominal abscess, brain abscess and other diseases.

Conclusion: The frequency of ESBL producing bacteria is highest because of recommendation of broad spectrum antibiotics by doctors and misuse of prescribed medicines by patients. The results from this study helped the health care practitioner to use beta lactamse inhibitor alongwith prescribed antibiotics for treatment of these patients. E-test should be used as it yield qualitative results like classification of organisms as being resistant, susteptible or intermediate and easiness of setting up.
Key Words: Antibiotic resistance, E- Test, Beta- Lactamases, E. coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, pneumonia.