High Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae: A Cross-Sectional Study at Arsho Advanced Medical Laboratory, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae particularly extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers have become a major public health threat. Despite efforts to limit their spread, rates of multidrug-resistance members of the Enterobacteriaceae continue to increase throughout the world causing increased morbidity and mortality and raised costs for medical care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of multidrug resistance and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. METHODS: Four hundred forty Enterobacteriaceae isolates from outpatients referred to Arsho Advanced Medical Laboratory were identified and assessed for their antimicrobial resistance pattern by using the automated VITEK 2 compact system. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase production was determined by the VITEK 2 automated compact system using the extended-spectrum β-lactamase test panel as per the instruction of the manufacturer. RESULTS: The overall resistance rates of Enterobacteriaceae against cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones were high. Nitrofurantoin with a resistance rate of 14.3% and piperacillin/tazobactam combination with a resistance rate of 17.3% were better active against this group of Gram-negative bacteria. Out of 440 isolates of Enterobacteriaceae, 42.1% were multidrug-resistant of which 34.3% and 8.95% were extensively drug-resistant and pan-drug resistant, respectively. Among 185 multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, 63.9% of the isolates produced extended-spectrum β-lactamase of which 75.4%, 19.5%, 1.7%, 2.5%, and 0.8% were E. coli, K. pneumoniae, C. freundii, E. cloacae, and P. mirabilis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated high prevalence rates of multidrug-resistant and extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. In order to combat these problems, infection control strategy and proper antibiotic policies should be formulated.