Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases-Producing Microorganisms in Patients Admitted at KRRH, Southwestern Uganda

Abstract

The emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing pathogenic bacteria at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital (KRRH), located in southwestern Uganda, is of great concern: a phenomenon that worries clinicians and other healthcare workers due to the serious threat they pose to patients. This current study aimed at determining the phenotypic detection of ESBL-producing strains of <i>E. coli, Klebsiella</i> sp., and <i>Proteus</i> sp. isolated from clinical specimens and their prevalence in patients admitted at KRRH. We used combined disc diffusion technique to detect and establish the presence of ESBLs-producing bacteria. Of the 100 tested bacterial isolates, 89 (89%) were identified as ESBL-producing bacteria. <i>Klebsiella</i> sp. predominated in the samples (46 (52%)), presenting the highest frequency of ESBLs producing followed by <i>E. coli</i> (39 (44%)) and <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> (4 (4.5%)) from the combined disk diffusion.