2023, Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part B

The occurrence of extended Spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemase enzymes associated with clinically relevant biofilm forming Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) pathogens is increasing over time, posing major health risks. This study was conducted with the aim to report an in-depth of the emergence of biofilm forming GNB harboring ESBL and carbapenemase phenotype circulating in patients in Tertiary hospital in South-eastern Nigeria. A total of three hundred (300) urine samples were subjected to routine microbiological analysis. The Double Disk Synergy Test (DDST) and the Modified Hodge Test (MHT) were used to detect ESBL production and carbapenem resistance, respectively. Detection of biofilm production was performed using microtitre plate-based assay. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to determine antibiogram investigations of biofilm producing ESBL and carbapenem resistant GNB. Result of isolation and characterization revealed overall frequency of 217(72.3%) GNB comprising of highly prevalence Pseudomonas aeruginosa 109(36.3%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 67(22.3%) and Escherichia coli 41(13.7%). Phenotypic ESBL and carbapenem resistant producing GNB accounted for 55(25.3%) and 15(6.9%) respectively. Overall detection rate of biofilm forming ESBL and carbapenem-resistant producing GNB was 12 (21.8%) and 7 (58.3%) respectively. Resistance was found in a high percentage of the isolates to Amoxycillin-Clavulanic acid 100%, Ceftriaxone 100%, Cefotaxime 75.5%, amikacin 50.0%. Our findings shows that the pattern of resistance phenotype between this GNB may cause the expansion of MDR to XDR strains that makes selecting an appropriate treatment challenging for any GNB disease condition. This study recommends that intensified global effort are needed to prevent the dissemination of biofilm producing GNB harboring β-lactamase resistant determinant and eradicate the hospital-borne bacteria that are significantly causing a dramatic increase in mortality. Further genomic study, as well as routine monitoring of biofilm formation capacity and antimicrobial resistance profiles of GNB isolates, are required to determine the precise relationship between these two parameters.