RESISTANCE PATTERN OF THREE DIFFERENT GROUPS OF ANTIBIOTICS AGAINST Escherichia coli INCLUDING EXTENDED SPECTRUM BETALACTAMASE (ESBL) PRODUCING ISOLATES FROM CLINICAL SAMPLES IN UMUAHIA, NIGERIA

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the Aminoglycosides, Fluoroquinolones and the Cephalosporins was evaluated against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli. The study was conducted to evaluate the resistance pattern of E. coli and ESBL producing isolates from clinical samples against three groups of antibiotics. A total of 100 isolates of Escherichia coli were obtained from urine, stool, high vaginal swab (HVS), ear swab and wound swab collected from different health care facilities. The samples were processed in Microbiology department, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike according to standard bacteriological procedures. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern, including ESBL screening and confirmation were carried out by disc diffusion technique. Out of the 100 isolates of E. coli tested, 55 isolates were obtained from urine, 19 from HVS, 14 from ear swab, 6 from stool culture and 6 from wound swab. Ceftriaxone had the highest resistance from all sources while Streptomycin was the most effective having the least resistance in all samples followed by Gentamicin. Fifteen of the isolates showed production of ESBL. While two isolates were resistant to Meropenem, one isolate was resistant to Imipenem. The aminoglycosides showed the least resistance being the most effective antibiotic. This could serve as a base line data, of local clinical relevance in prescription of antibiotics against E. coli infections.