Molecular Characterization of Extended-spectrum β-Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli from Suspected Cases of Diarrhea in Nasarawa South Senatorial Zone, Nigeria

Aims: To investigate the prevalence and molecular diversity of ESBL producing E. coli isolates from children with suspected cases of diarrhea, in Nasarawa South, senatorial zone, Nigeria

Study Design: Investigative study.

Place and Duration of Study: Nasarawa South Senatorial District, Nigeria, in 2023.

Methodology: A total of eight (8) phenotypic ESBL producing isolates that form suspected cases of diarrhea in Nasarawa south, Nigeria, from previous study were used for polymerase chain reaction detection of ESBL genes and molecular diversity of ESBL isolates were determined using restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results: The prevalence of blaCTX-M gene (4, 50%) was found to more prevalent among ESBL producing isolates than blasHV and blaTEM (3, 37.5%). The strains of ESBL isolates that form the suspected cases of diarrhea among children in Nasarawa South were A and B and the proportion was 50%. The blaCTX-M gene was frequently detected in the ESBL producers and strain A and B were the only strain of ESBL producing isolates that form suspected cases of diarrhoea in the study location.

Conclusion: blaCTX-M gene was more predominant in ESBL producing isolates in the study location and the strains A and B ESBL producing isolates were prevalent among children with suspected cases of diarrheic in the study location.