Abstract
Infections due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing Gram-negative bacteria have led to increased mortality, morbidity, and economic burden worldwide. These bacteria can colonize the healthy intestine of human beings and can disseminate in communities and hospital. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species among health science (HS) and non-health science (NHS) students. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 104 HS and 104 NHS students in which one stool sample from each student was collected and processed for bacterial culture and sensitivity testing according to standard bacteriological procedures. Each morphotype was identified and characterized phenotypically. The antimicrobial sensitivity profile of bacterial isolates was determined by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique. ESBL production was tested by combination disk method as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Out of 208 stool samples, E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were recovered from 203 (86.8%) and 31 (13.2%) stool samples, respectively. Among those 234 isolates, 69 were positive for ESBL which included E. coli (n = 66, 95.7%) and Klebsiella spp. (n = 3, 4.3%). Fifty (42.4%) out of 118 isolates from HS students and 19 (16.4%) out of 116 from NHS students were colonized by ESBL-producers. Compared to non-ESBL producers, a higher number of ESBL-producing isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (14.5% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001), cotrimoxazole (59.4% vs. 16.4%, p < 0.001), and amikacin (10.1% vs 4.2%, p < 0.001). All E. coli and Klebsiella species isolates were susceptible to meropenem. The prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-producing bacteria was higher in HS students; however, there was a considerable number of these strains colonizing NHS students as well. This “iceberg phenomenon” of asymptomatic carriage of ESBL-producing pathogens might act as a source of infection in both the community and hospitals. Therefore, surveillance of carriage of drug-resistant bacteria should be performed regularly.
Highlights
Infections due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing Gram-negative bacteria have led to increased mortality, morbidity, and economic burden worldwide. ese bacteria can colonize the healthy intestine of human beings and can disseminate in communities and hospital. is study aimed to investigate the prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species among health science (HS) and non-health science (NHS) students. is descriptive crosssectional study was conducted on 104 HS and 104 NHS students in which one stool sample from each student was collected and processed for bacterial culture and sensitivity testing according to standard bacteriological procedures
All E. coli and Klebsiella species isolates were susceptible to meropenem. e prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-producing bacteria was higher in HS students; there was a considerable number of these strains colonizing NHS students as well. is “iceberg phenomenon” of asymptomatic carriage of ESBL-producing pathogens might act as a source of infection in both the community and hospitals. erefore, surveillance of carriage of drug-resistant bacteria should be performed regularly
Most (50 out of 118; 42.4%) isolates were from HS students and 19 out of 116 (16.4%) isolates were from NHS students. e rate of ESBL production among E. coli and Klebsiella species was 32.5% and 9.7%, respectively
Summary
Infections due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing Gram-negative bacteria have led to increased mortality, morbidity, and economic burden worldwide. ese bacteria can colonize the healthy intestine of human beings and can disseminate in communities and hospital. is study aimed to investigate the prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species among health science (HS) and non-health science (NHS) students. is descriptive crosssectional study was conducted on 104 HS and 104 NHS students in which one stool sample from each student was collected and processed for bacterial culture and sensitivity testing according to standard bacteriological procedures. Infections due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing Gram-negative bacteria have led to increased mortality, morbidity, and economic burden worldwide. Ese bacteria can colonize the healthy intestine of human beings and can disseminate in communities and hospital. Is study aimed to investigate the prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species among health science (HS) and non-health science (NHS) students. E prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-producing bacteria was higher in HS students; there was a considerable number of these strains colonizing NHS students as well. Antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella species (common intestinal members of the microbiota) to third-generation cephalosporins are a major threat in hospitalized patients as well as in community populations. Rates of intestinal colonization by ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella species have increased dramatically worldwide. E spread of ESBL-producing organisms to healthy community residents is one of the most threatening epidemiological problems worldwide [3]. e rapid emergence of ESBL-producing bacteria results in a therapeutic burden that generates economic and public health concerns to healthcare systems globally. us, it is necessary to identify high-risk populations to help reduce this problem [4]
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