Abstract

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Extended-spectrum Beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing bacteria have been identified as a major cause of hospital-acquired infections that can have serious clinical consequences, including multiple drug resistance. This study aimed to screen hospital laboratory equipment for extended-spectrum betalactamase-producing bacteria. A total of sixty (60) samples were collected by swabbing various surfaces of hospital equipment using sterile swab sticks. The bacterial species were isolated and identified using standard microbiological procedures. The bacterial isolates were then subjected to an antibiotic susceptibility test on Mueller Hinton agar using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique. Subsequent screening for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production was done using the double disc synergy test. This study revealed that a total of twenty-five (25) bacterial strains were isolated from the hospital laboratory equipment, among which Escherichia coli 10 (40%) were the most predominant bacteria specie isolated. This was followed by Staphylococcus aureus 7 (28.0%) and Salmonella spp. 4 (16.0%), the least isolated bacteria were Bacillus spp. 1 (4.0%). The distribution of these isolates among the equipment showed that the incubator had the highest number and percentage of bacteria isolates (64.0%), while the least was recorded for centrifuge 3 (12.0%). The multidrug resistance profile showed that Escherichia coli was highly resistant to the antibiotics tested at an index rate of 0.6. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production was observed in Salmonella spp 3 (75.0%), Escherichia coli 2 (20.0%), and Klebsiella spp. 1 (33.3%) The study identified that multidrug-resistant and ESBL-producing bacteria species were present in hospital laboratory equipment and their occurrence on these equipments poses important healthcareassociated problems as they serve as a major cause of nosocomial infections. This therefore, requires strict infection control measures and careful selection of therapy in the study area to prevent the spread of these pathogens.

Keywords: Laboratory equipment, Resistance, Hospital, Bacteria, Beta-lactamase