ABSTRACT
Aim: The study was conducted to determine the presence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) among Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the urine of patients in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Medical Services, Abuja, Nigeria using a phenotypic and molecular method. Methodology: Forty five (45) confirmed E. coli recovered from urine of patients with suspected UTIs were obtained; Phenotypic detection of ESBL was done on isolates resistant to cefotaxime and ceftazidime by the double disc synergy test method. Molecular detection of ESBL genes in phenotypically confirmed ESBL producers was done using Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: Of the 40 cefotaxime and ceftazidime-resistant isolates tested, 12 (30.0%) were phenotypically confirmed as ESBL producers. ESBL genes were detected in the order (blaTEM: blaSHV: blaCTX-M): 75.0%: 58.3%: 25.0%. Some (16.7%) of the ESBL isolates harboured both blaTEM and blaSHV; and some harboured other combinations of the ESBL namely blaTEM/blaCTX-M (8.3%), blaSHV/blaCTX-M (8.3%) and blaTEM/blaSHV/blaCTX-M (8.3%). Conclusion: Many of the E. coli isolates were ESBL producers; and they harboured blaTEM genes most frequently. Further studies on molecular diversity of the ESBL producing E. coli from urine in the study location should be carried out.
ABSTRACT
Background: Medical establishment such as hospitals and research institutes generate sizable amount of hazardous waste. Health care workers; patients are at risk of acquiring infection from sharps and contamination of environment with multiple drug resistant microorganisms if wastes are not properly managed. Objectives:To characterize types and evaluate waste disposal techniques employed in the management of solid medical wastes in five selected hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory;Abuja; Methods:This was a cross section study involving the use of questionnaires; in-depth interview; meetings; discussions and participant observed strategy. It also involved the collection; sorting (segregation); identification and characterization and weighing of waste types from wards and units in the selected hospitals. Results:The average waste generation rate per bed/day was determined and found to be 2.78kg of solid waste; 26.5of the total waste was hazardous in nature.Waste segregation was found not to be practiced by any of the hospitals surveyed; 18.3of the hospitals incinerated waste in a locally built brick incinerator; 9.1bury; 36.3burn waste in open pits while 36.3dispose of a waste into municipal dumpsites. Conclusion:Waste management officers do not have formal training in waste management techniques; and hospital administrators pay very little attention to appropriate management of medical waste.Therefore; we must educate waste generators of their responsibility to properly manage the waste so that their staff; patients; environment and community is protected