Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern and Detection of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (blaCTX-M) Gene in Escherichia coli from Urinary Tract Infections at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Urinary tract infections caused by Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing Escherichia coli are increasing globally and yet treatment still remains a challenge due to antibiotic resistance of the causative agent. The aim of the study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and detect the presence of blaCTX-M gene in Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infection patients at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia. This was a cross-sectional study that involved the collection of urine samples from patients who were diagnosed with urinary tract infections. The samples were cultured on MacConkey agar complemented with cefotaxime and Polymerase Chain Reaction was performed to confirm the Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producers by detecting the CTX-M gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were conducted using standard methods. A total of 327 urine samples were cultured and 15 (4.6%) of these samples were positive ESBL producers. The isolates showed complete resistance to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole. Multi drug-resistant Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing Escherichia coli was detected in 4.6 % of UTI patients at the University Teaching Hospital.