Detection of beta-lactamase and extended spectrum beta-lactamase from bacteria causing neonatal sepsis

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to detect Beta-Lactamase and ESBL [Extended Spectrum of Beta-Lactamase] by bacteria causing neonatal sepsis. Observational Study. The study was conducted at the department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Science Institute of JPMC during the period of August 2009- July 2010. The blood samples were taken from babies admitted at National Institute of Child Health. The study included 200 babies between the ages of 1 to 30 days who were presumed to have sepsis on clinical grounds. Neonates who had already been given antibiotics prior to admission and those who had congenital anomaly were excluded. Two hundred [200] blood samples were processed for blood culture. In the laboratory, each specimen were inoculated on differential and selective [Blood agar, MacConkey agar and Chocolate agar] media accordingly. For beta-lactamase production, we performed Chromogenic Cephalosporin method and for ESBL [Extended Spectrum of Beta-Lactamase] we performed double disc diffusion method. Two strains of staphylococcus and single isolated strain of Haemophilus influenzae yielded positive beta-lactamase production. Two strains of each Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae and one strain of Escherichia coli were positive for ESBL production. According to our study, prevalence of beta-lactamase and ESBL in the total number of bacteria was low in NICH Karachi. Therefore, beta-lactam antibiotics remain the drug of choice in infections. ESBL detection must be routinely performed in clinical laboratories, as false reporting would result in treatment failure