Distribution of Some Antibiotics Resistance Genes in Multi-drug Resistant E. coli Isolates from the Urogenitals of Women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Aim: The problem of antibiotics resistance has assumed a global emergency status. Whereas Multidrug Resistant (MDR) E. coli infection is common among human population in Port Harcourt metropolis of Nigeria, the genetic background of E. coli isolates in our locality is not well elucidated, hence this study.

Study Design: This was a randomized study of women, with indications of Urogenital infections, attending Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) Port Harcourt, Nigeria between July and December, 2017.

Methodology: Ninety-Seven (97) samples comprising of urine, high vaginal swabs, end ocervical swabs were collected from patients to assess for the presence of some antibiotic resistance genes in multi-drug resistant E. coli. Samples were processed following standard microbiological protocols. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed on all E. coli isolates. Following this, all Multiple Drug Resistant E. coli were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the detection of some antibiotic resistance-encoding genes- SHV, CTX-M, TEM.

Results: Seventy-three (73) isolates, including 36 E. coli, were recovered from all the clinical specimens. Twenty-four (24) E. coli isolates were found to be multi-drug resistant. Sulphydryl Variable (SHV) was the most frequent resistant gene and was detected in 15 isolates. This was followed by Cefotaximase (CTX-M) in 10 isolates and Temoniera (TEM) in 5 isolates. Some isolates haboured more than one resistance gene. About 20% of the isolates haboured SHV/CTX-M; 2.5% haboured CTX-M/TEM, while no target was detected in one isolate.

Conclusion: This present study revealed that most E. coli isolates from the urogenitals of women within our locality, possess the ESBL genes which confers on them the Multidrug resistant status and this is a major challenge to maternal health.