First Report Occurrence of CIT and DHA AmpC β-lactamase Gene in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pnuemoniae from Clinical Sample in South Eastern, Nigeria

Background and Objectives: Over time, the enzymes AmpC β-lactamases have become more significant, due to their roles in antibiotic resistance among enterobacteriaceace especially in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pnuemoniae. Due to increase multidrug resistant express by AmpC β-lactamases producing bacteria strain, the patients care in several hospital has been severely hampered. Hence, this study was designed to assess the occurrence of CIT and DHA AmpC β-lactamase gene in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pnuemoniae from clinical sample in south eastern, Nigeria

Methodology: This study was conducted over an 8-month period on sixteen (16) non-repetitive clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pnuemoniae collected from medical microbiology laboratory unit of Alex Ekweume Federal University Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki, Nigeria. The isolates were further identified using Standard microbiological Techniques and screened for cefoxitin resistance using a disc diffusion assay, followed by phenotypic tests using phenyl boronic acid assays for confirmation of AmpC β-lactamases production. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were further screen for AmpC β-lactamase CIT and DHA genotype by polymerase chain reactions

Result: Of the sixteen (16) confirmed phenotypic AmpC β-lactamase producing bacteria, 100% of the AmpC β-lactamase genes (DHA and CIT) were detected in E. coli from wound and urine samples from both male and female patients. The overall proportion of AmpC β-lactamases gene in Klebsiella pneumoniae were DHA (100 %) and CIT (100 %), in both male and female.

Conclusion: This study indicate the occurrence of CIT and DHA AmpC genotype. The detection of AmpC β-lactamases in this study is of clinically importance as such bacteria are often MDR. Thus, being aware of the presence of AmpC β-lactamase-producing bacteria could be very beneficial for achieving more accurate epidemiological results as well as controlling their spread, while surveillance is required to track any further dissemination and emergence of other AmpC β-lactamase genotypes.