Emergence of New-Delhi Metallo-Betalactamase-1 and Oxacillinase-48 Positive Escherichia coli in South-Eastern Nigeria

Objective: The spread of carbapenemase‑producing Enterobacteriaceae is a global challenge that leads to an increase in health-carecost, treatment failures, high morbidity, and mortality. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of New‑Delhi MetalloBeta‑Lactamase (NDM), and oxacillinase‑48 (OXA‑48) genes in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli obtained from a tertiary hospital in Nnewi, South‑eastern, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: E. coli isolated from several clinical specimens including blood, urine, and wound swabs from patients receiving care at the hospital, were screened for resistance to meropenem and ertapenem antibiotics (Oxoid, UK) by the Kirby–Bauerdisk‑diffusion method. All isolates, which showed reduced sensitivity to the tested antibiotics, were then subjected to phenotypic confirmation of carbapenemase production using the Modified Hodge test. The NDM and OXA‑48 genes were then detected using the polymerase chain reaction techniques. Results: Of the 187 E. coli isolates, 41 (21.9%) screened positive as suspected carbapenemase producers, while the prevalence of carbapenemase‑producing E. coli in this study was 21/187 (11.23%). The prevalence of NDM and OXA‑48 genes in the entire sample population was 3/187 (1.6%) and 12/187 (6.4%), respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained showed that NDM and OXA‑48 carbapenemase‑mediated resistance occurred in the study location. Hence, a reinforcement of infection prevention and control practices in the hospital will be required to curb the propagation of these resistant organisms. Keywords: Beta‑lactamase, carbapenemase, New‑Delhi, Nigeria, oxacillinas