Abstract

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The relevance of environmental surfaces in the conservation and dissemination of Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria in hospital setting is fast becoming undisputable. Hence, the need for hygiene checks to affirm their status. This study was aimed at examining antibiotic resistance (AR) and carriage of ESBL and AmpC beta-lactamases in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from selected hospital floors in a General hospital. Swab samples were taken from the phlebotomy, children, male surgical wards, theatre and a staff common room floors post cleaning and disinfection. Isolation and biochemical characterization were done according to conventional microbiological methods. The susceptibility of isolated organisms to antibiotics was determined using disc diffusion technique. Phenotypic screening for ESBL and AmpC was done using the double disc technique. A total of 131 isolates belonging to five genera of clinical importance were isolated. Klebsiella spp. was most recovered genera, and from phlebotomy. Antibiotic resistance ranged between 3.8% to ciprofloxacin and 87.7% to ampicillin. Three isolates (2 Klebsiella and 1 E. coli) from the phlebotomy were resistant to 9 out of 10 test antibiotics. Sixtyseven isolates in this study were multiple drug resistant (MDR) to at least three unrelated antibiotic classes. Extended spectrum-β-lactamase activity was detected in 32 (24.4%) of the total isolates. AmpC β-lactamase was not detected in any of the isolates. Eighty and sixty percent of sampled disinfected floors were found to be reservoir of multiple-drug resistant and ESBL-producing bacteria respectively. Such hygiene failure is a serious concern for public health.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, Enterobacteriaceae, ESBL, Hospital floor