Determination of Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Strains from Kindirmo in Nasarawa Town, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the antibiotic resistance patterns of beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in Kindirmo in Nasarawa town, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Over five months, 169 samples were collected from four sampling points. Escherichia coli was isolated using the streak-plating method and identified through biochemical tests. All isolates tested positive for beta-lactamase production. The agar-disc diffusion technique assessed the beta-lactamase-producing E. coli strains' susceptibility to 10 antibiotics. Out of 169 samples, 10 were contaminated with E. coli, resulting in a prevalence of 5.92%. The isolates showed complete resistance to six antibiotics, while 70% and 50% demonstrated susceptibility to ofloxacin, pefloxacin, and gentamicin, respectively. Six antibiotic-resistance phenotypes were identified among the E. coli isolates. The presence of beta-lactamase-producing E. coli in Kindirmo suggests that consuming the product in the area poses a risk to consumers. Authorities should enforce basic hygiene requirements during production and sales to safeguard public health.