ABSTRACT
Antimicrobial resistance is defined as a process in which bacteria strains shows resistance to antibiotics that normally inhibit their growth. Escherichia coli (MRS) is a well-recognized public health problem throughout the world, including in Benin City in Nigeria. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of MRS and resistance pattern to commonly used antibiotics in Benin City, Edo State of Nigeria.
Materials and methods
This was a cross-sectional study of outpatients who presented at from three hospitals (one secondary and two primary) in Benin City, Edo State. Data collection involved collecting urine and nasal swab and using a structured questionnaire to collect socio-demographic and clinical information from each study participant. To ascertain the presence of Escherichia coli, appropriate culture media, including Blood agar, Cled agar and MacConkey agar were used according to standard microbiological methods. The media used were sterilized in an Auto clave at 121ͦC or 15 minutes. Morphological characterization involved conducting Gram staining while biochemical characterization involved conducting indole test, oxidase test, catalase test, urease test, motility test, coagulase test and citrate utilization test. Thereafter, antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test method.
Results
A total of 104 participants were recruited into the study, of whom 157 (67%) were female and 76 (32.6%) were male. The majority of the participants were aged 18-24years (44.6%), while the most commonly reported occupation was tailor, mechanic (number, 42.9%). The prevalence of Escherichia coli among 68 participants who provided urine and nasal swab (34/34) positive for Escherichia coli had MRS. MRS was more prevalent in females than in males (81.3% vs 3.1%) and persons aged 25-34 (43.8%).
