Reviewer response for version 2

Abstract

Background: The increasing resistance of clinical Enterobacteriaceae infection to commonly prescribed antibiotics have been reported around the world. Data is generally lacking on the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility profile of clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Kaduna, northwest Nigeria. This study thus aimed to determine the diversity of clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates recovered from clinical specimens of patients admitted into two selected healthcare institutions in Kaduna, Nigeria.Methods: Non-duplicate clinical bacteria isolates recovered from various specimens were collected and identified using rapid biochemical identification kits. The susceptibility of identified Enterobacteriaceae to various antibiotics and phenotypic detection of carbapenemase enzymes were thereafter determined.Results: Of the 500 collected bacterial isolates, 108 (21.6 %) were identified as Enterobacteriaceae, with Pantoea agglomerans (52, 48.1%), Klebsiella oxytoca (19, 17.6%) as the most prevalent. The isolates exhibited high resistance to azithromycin (69%) and ceftazidime (42%), while exhibiting low resistance to amikacin (7%) and imipenem (10%). Among the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) isolates, a significant proportion (66.6 %) tested positive for carbapenemase activity.Conclusion: This study reports a high prevalence of multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria. The emergence of pathogenic P. agglomerans and an alarmingly high prevalence of carbapenemase-producing CRE are also observed. The presence of carbapenemase producers in an area with low carbapenem usage and resistance rates raises significant concerns. Continuous surveillance and robust antibiotic stewardship policies are imperative to preserve the efficacy of carbapenems in this region.