Emerging Antibiotic Resistance and Plasmid DNA in Escherichia coli Isolated from Respiratory Tract Infections in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate antibiotic resistance pattern and presence of plasmid DNA among Escherichia coli isolates from respiratory tract infections (RTIs). A total of 32 E.coli isolates were characterized by using selective media and biochemical tests. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used for antibiotic sensitivity testing. Plasmid DNA extraction was carried out using Bimboim and Doly method and detection was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Overall, 51% antibiotics were resistant and 46% were sensitive out of 20 tested antibiotics. Cephalosporin antibiotics (4/7) were highly resistant (76%). Amoxicillin showed 100% resistance. The higher rate of resistance was observed for cefuroxime, ceftazidime, cephalexin, cephradine, gentamycin and nalidixic acid ranges with 75-80%. E.coli showed better sensitivity to nitrofurantoin (78%), levofloxacin (89%) and amikacin (100%). Amoxiclav, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin and piperacillin/tazobactam antibiotics were sensitive to nearly 40% E.coli. 100% sensitivity observed for imipenem, meropenem, colistin, and amikacin. The plasmid profiling revealed that 92% E.coli harbored large plasmid DNA which justifies their emerging resistance to most of the antibiotics. This study concludes that nitrofurantoin, levofloxacin, cefotaxime, amoxiclav and amikacin antibiotics may be wise to prescribe to treat RTIs caused by E.coli. Further studies are recommended to explore the association between virulence factors and AR in E.coli isolated from RTIs.

Characterization of plasmids in bacterial isolates in a tertiary health care facility in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania

“…Antibiotic resistance of human pathogens is becoming a serious threat globally and is causing morbidity and mortality (Wang et al, 2018), particularly in resource-limited countries like Tanzania, with fewer treatment options. Predictions suggest that, 10 million people will die globally of infections resistant to antimicrobials by 2050, and economic losses of US $60-100 trillion will occur annually due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) (Promite et al, 2017). The African continent is reported to have a higher proportion (49.9%) of antimicrobial use to treat human infections compared to other continents around the world (< 43%) (Versporten et al, 2018).…”