Prevalence of ESBL-producing and multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from urine of HIV patients in General Hospital Gboko, Benue State

Prevalence of ESBL-producing and multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli in HIV patients attending General Hospital Gboko, Benue State was investigated. A total of two hundred and five urine samples were collected from patients in the hospital and inoculated on Cysteine lactose electrolyte deficient (CLED) agar. The plates were incubated at 37 ⁰C for 24 hours for isolation of bacteria. Bacteria isolates were characterized by Gram staining and biochemical tests. Antibiotic resistance testing was performed using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The results revealed a prevalence of 23(11.22%) in this group. Sex prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli was observed to be significantly higher in female subjects 20(12.98%) compared to male patients 3(5.88%). All isolates were resistant to Cefuroxime 23(100.0%), Augmentin 23(100.0%), followed by Ceftazidime 22(95.65%), Gentamycin 20(86.96%), Nitrofurantoin 19(82.6%), Ofloxacin 18(78.26%), and Ciprofloxacin 18(78.26%). The least resistance was observed with the antibiotic Cefotaxime 13(56.5%). The presence of ESBL-producing and multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli in urine samples of HIV patients indicates an infection which presents a major threat to public health since such infections may be difficult to treat and may subsequently result to death of the patients. Constant periodic surveillance of urinary tract pathogens isolated from HIV patients and non-abuse of antibiotics will help check this ugly trend especially in developing nations like Nigeria.