Correlation of Multidrug Resistance and Plasmid Profile in Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients Suspected of Urinary Tract Infection

Aims: To determine the prevalence of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBL E. coli) strains among the total isolates and study the association between the antibiotic resistance and plasmid profiles of the isolates.

Methodology: A total of 1258 urine samples were collected. Identification of Bacterial isolates was done using standard biochemical tests, antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined using the Kirby - Bauer’s disk diffusion method and confirmation of the ESBL E. coli was done following CLSI guidelines. Isolation of Plasmid DNA of ESBL positive strains was done by alkaline lysis method.

Results: Out of 303 isolates, 198 were E. coli. The isolates were tested for antibiotic sensitivity, MDR, ESBL and plasmid profiles. 59.09% of the E. coli isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance. 41(58.57%) out of 76 ESBL E. coli isolates possessed plasmids. Few isolates possessed single plasmid while other had multiple plasmids with different size ranged from 1 kb to 10 kb.

Conclusions: High prevalence of ESBL E. coli was found with good association between the antibiotic resistance and plasmid profiles of the isolates.