Occurrence and distribution of extended-spectrum β-lactamase in clinical Escherichia coli isolates at Ho Teaching Hospital in Ghana

OBJECTIVE: This study determined the occurrence and distribution of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) genotypes of E. coli isolates in Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: A single centre study was conducted at Ho Teaching Hospital of Ghana. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who visited Ho Teaching Hospital Laboratory with the request for culture and susceptibility testing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Escherichia coli were isolated, and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase genes were detected. RESULTS: Of the 135 isolates, 56(41.5%,95% CI: 33.1% – 50.3%) were ESBL producers. More males, 14(58.3%), produced ESBL than females, 42(37.8%). The ESBL prevalence was highest among the elderly who were 80 years and above 3(100.0%), with the least prevalence among patients within 50–59 years and 0–9 years age bracket, representing 4(25.0%) and 3(27.3%), respectively. The total prevalence of ESBL was marginally higher among out-patients (41.8% 95% CI: 31.9% – 52.2%) compared to in-patients [40.5% 95% CI: 24.8% – 57.9]. BlaTEM-1 was the predominant ESBL genotype obtained from 83.9% (47/56) of the confirmed ESBL producing isolates, with the least being TOHO-1 4(7.1%). The co-existence of 2 different ESBL genes occurred in 19(33.9%) of the isolates. The single and quadruple carriage were 16(28.6%) and 3(5.4%), respectively. The highest co-existence of the ESBL genotypes was recorded for blaTEM-1 and blaCTXM-1 15(26.8%), followed by blaTEM-1, blaCTXM-1 and blaSHV-73 [12(21.4%)]. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates with multiple resistant gene carriage is a threat to healthcare in the study area. FUNDING: This research received no external funding.