Prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Escherichia coli recovered from ICU and non-ICU at dr. Zainoel Abidin General Hospital

Abstract

Research conducted at Zainoel Abidin General Hospital in Banda Aceh between January 2022 and July 2023, focused on the prevalence and susceptibility patterns of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli associated with nosocomial infections. This study employed a retrospective descriptive methodology to analyze clinical specimens from both the intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU settings. Of the 520 isolates examined, 365 (70.19%) were identified as ESBL-producing Escherichia coli. The age group of 56-65 had the highest prevalence (28.21%), with female patients contributing 52.50% of the isolates. Both ESBL-producing and non-ESBL-producing E. coli had almost equivalent prevalence among patients treated in the ICU and non-ICU, accounting for 67%. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high levels of resistance to carbapenem. Conversely, polymyxin B showed complete susceptibility (100%) and cefoxitin exhibited an 85% susceptibility rate. These findings underscore the alarm resistance levels of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolates.