Prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Klebsiella in a tertiary care hospital in South West Nigeria

Klebsiella pneumoniae has been found to be the most common species to produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases, and, in some countries, the prevalence of extended–spectrum β–lactamase production approaches 50%. This study was designed to determine the rate of production of ESBLs among clinical isolates of Klebsiella species in our environment in South West Nigeria. Eighty–eight clinical isolates of Klebsiella species were recovered from various clinical specimens. Double–disc synergy test was performed on them to determine the rate of production of ESBLs among them. The susceptibilities of the positive cases to the recommended antibiotics, meropenem, imipenem, amikacin and cefepime were also determined. The rate of ESBL production among the Klebsiella isolates was found to be 43.2%. ESBL production was found to be highest in isolates from sputum (42.1%), followed by urine (15.8%), wound swabs (15.8%), ear swabs (10.5%), wound biopsy (5.3%), eye swabs (5.3%) and catheter tips (5.3%). None of the two isolates from blood was an ESBL producer. The susceptibilities of ESBL producers to imipenem, meropenem, amikacin and cefepime were 100%, 94.7%, 100% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, there should be an improvement in the detection as well as the report of ESBL producing Klebsiella species. Furthermore, strict adherence to the hospital antibiotic policy and good infection control practices would go a long way in curtailing the menace of drug resistance.