European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: The broad spectrum ß-lactam antibiotics are commonly used empirically for the treatment of gram negative sepsis. But the emergence of ESBL producing organisms has posed a serious threat for their continuing use. Present study was undertaken to find out the magnitude of the problem of infections due to extended spectrum β-lactamase producing organisms.
Material and Methods: Present study was a descriptive & observational study, conducted in patients < 18 years age, all cultures showing a significant growth of ESBL producing organisms from any of the clinical specimens, as per CLSI guidelines.
Results: Infections by ESBL producing organisms were found more common in 13-18 years of age group (36.25%) & males (71.25%). K. pneumoniae has been found to be the most commonly isolated ESBL producing organism (56.25%) followed by E. coli (38.75%). ESBL producing organisms were most commonly grown in urine samples (51.25%) followed by pus culture (11.25%) and blood (10%). All were sensitive to tigecycline and colistin (100%). In the carbapenem group, sensitivity to imipenem was highest (93.75%) followed by ertapenem (66.25%), doripenem (65%) and meropenem (53.75%). Among the 45 isolates of ESBL K. pneumoniae, all were sensitive to tigecycline and colistin. Sensitivity to imipenem is 93.33% while that to meropenem, doripenem and ertapenem were 46.66%, 62.22% and 64.44% respectively. Out of the 31 isolates of ESBL producing E. coli, all were sensitive to tigecycline and colistin. Sensitivity to Imipenem was 96.77% while that to meropenem, doripenem and ertapenem were 64.71%, 70.96% and 70.96% respectively. Sensitivity to meropenem has gone down dramatically from 71.42% to 22.22%, which is significant.
Conclusion: A growing resistance in the ESBL producing organisms is noted which is very alarming. A limited number of drugs are available against these ESBL producing organisms and the drug of choice is carbapenem.