ANTIBIOGRAM OF UROPATHOGENS PRODUCING EXTENDED SPECTRUM BETA LACTAMASES AND METHICILLIN RESISTANT Staphylococcus aureus ISOLATED FROM URINE OF PREGNANT WOMEN VISITING MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL AFIKPO

Pregnant women are exposed to various infections because of their compromised immunity. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility profile of extended spectrum beta lactamases and methicillin resistant uropathogens isolated from pregnant women visiting Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi State. A total of 150 mid – stream urine collected from pregnant women were bacteriologically analyzed using standard microbiological tests for isolation and identification. Escherichia coli were phenotypically screened for ESBL strain using Kirby – Bauer disc diffusion method. Staphylococcus aureus were phenotypically screened for MRSA strains using Kirby – Bauer disk diffusion method and the results were analyzed using the guidelines of Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). The multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) of the isolates were equally determined. The prevalence of UTI among pregnant women was found to be 57.3 %. The predominant uropathogens were S. aureus (41.3 %) and E. coli (12 %), while the least occurring uropathogens was Klebsiella species (4 %). The result of the demographic data of the patients in this study revealed that the highest isolation rate in S. aureus 20 (32.3 %) was found among the age range of 28 – 31 years and the least occurrence rate were recorded among age range of 40 and above in S. aureus (1.6 %), whereas Klebsiella species and E. coli both recorded (0.0 %) respectively. The isolates for MRSA exhibited high resistance within the range of 50 – 100 % against cefoxitin, oxacillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, cefepime, lincomycin, ceftazidime and tetracycline. Extended spectrum beta lactamase isolates displayed more resistance within 50 – 100 % in amoxicillin clavulanic acid, nalidixic acid, tazobactam piperacillin, tetracycline and nitrofurantoin. It was further observed that MRSA exhibit multi

– drug resistance (MDR) with MARI value ≥ 0.5 but were susceptible to imipenem and ciprofloxacin. The ESBL were as well susceptible to and ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, meropenem, sulfamethoxazole and ofloxacin in this study. The result of this study raises public health concern for health practitioners (especially antenatal staffs), patients and individuals in both hospitals and communities. Regular surveillance and monitory of MRSA and ESBL, and formulation of policies that will help reduce/ prevent occurrence of these uropathogens will be helpful in the control of such incidence.

Keywords: ESBL- Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases MDR- Multi Drug Resistance MRSA- Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus aureus MSSA- Methicillin Suceptible Staphylococcus aureus MMHA- Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Afikpo