PLASMID-MEDIATED RESISTANCE IN EXTENDED SPECTRUM BETA–LACTAMASE–PRODUCING KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE ISOLATES AT RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL

Monsi Tombari Pius*, Abbey Samuel Douglas, Wachukwu Confidence Kinikanwo and Wokem Ngozika Gloria

ABSTRACT

Background: The presence of plasmid association with emergence and transmission of antimicrobial–resistant bacteria a serious health issue in developing countries. Aim: The aim of this project is to phenotypically and molecularly analyse the antimicrobial resistance induce in K. pneumoniae. Methods: The clinical isolate was identified both phenotypically and molecularly by amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA. The ability of the clinical strain to produce beta–lactamase enzyme was determined by performing antimicrobial sensitivity to Penicillin, Ampicillin, Cefoxitin and Ceftriaxone. Presence of plasmid in the K. pneumoniae clinical and laboratory strains were examined. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of the beta–lactamase genes blaTEM-1 and blaSHV was performed. Results: From the 30 isolates investigated, only 7 were positive for Klebsiella sp while 23 were negative. This gives a 23% incidence of Klebsiella sp in Enterobacteriaceae isolates in patients’s samples at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). From the seven confirmed K. pneumoniae isolates, only three isolates were positive for the presence beta–lactamase production as they were considered resistant. Conclusion: These results show that 10% of Klebsiella sp found in RSUTH possess beta–lactamase which is responsible for the resistance to beta–lactam drugs.

Keywords: Plasmid, Resistance, Nosocomial, Klebsiella pneumonia.