Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Cameroonian hospitals

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae pose a global health threat.
• Limited data exists on ESBL carriage in Cameroon.
• Hospitalized patients are a key population for investigating antimicrobial resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in hospitalized patients in Cameroon.
• To identify the types of ESBL genes present.
• To analyze risk factors associated with ESBL carriage.

Main Methods:

• Faecal samples collected from hospitalized patients in Yaounde and Ngaoundere.
• Screening for ESBL production using the double-disk synergy test.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing for ESBL gene identification.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of ESBL carriage was observed at 55.3% (67/121 patients).
• Previous year hospitalization was significantly associated with ESBL carriage.
• Escherichia coli was the most common isolate (48%), with CTX-M-15 (96%) and SHV-12 (4%) as the identified ESBL types.

Conclusions:

• ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae are a significant concern in Cameroonian hospitals.
• Routine screening and monitoring are crucial for effective patient treatment and infection control in African settings.
• Further research into risk factors and control strategies is warranted.