Multidrug resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> among patients with gastrointestinal tract infections seeking health care services at Lafia, Nigeria

Abstract

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in human plays an important role in providing habitat to various microbial communities including numerous prokaryotic cells numbering over 100 trillion. This study was aimed at accessing the multidrug resistance (MDR) of E. coli among patients with GIT infections seeking health care at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia, Nasarawa state, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) stool samples were collected using sterile sample containers from patients with symptoms of GIT infections in search of medical care in this hospital. The samples collected were processed using standard microbiological methods. Out of the total samples collected, 35.3% (53/150) revealed the presence of E. coli whereas 64.7% did not. Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) were found in 45.3% of E. coli obtained in this study, which were further used for the antimicrobial susceptibility test. E. coli were more resistant to ampicillin (75.51%), followed by amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (61.22%) and were least resistant to imipenems (12.25%). In conclusion, MDR E. coli producing ESBL are abundant among patients with GIT infections visiting DASH, Lafia. Thus, it is important to determine the genes responsible for this MDR as well as dissemination of adequate information to the masses visiting the hospital for treatment on the possible effects caused by the antibiotics abuse

Keywords: Escherichia coli, Multiple-Drug Resistance, Antimicrobial, Gastrointestinal tract, Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases, Microbiological methods