High Fecal Carriage of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Producing Enterobacteriaceae by Children Admitted to the Pediatric University Hospital Complex in Bangui, Central African Republic

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat. Quality data on AMR are needed to tackle the rise of multidrug-resistant clones. These rare in low-income countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we investigated extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing (ESBL) Enterobacteriaceae Bangui, Central African Republic. We collected 278 fecal samples from 0–5-year-old children admitted Pediatric University Hospital Complex Bangui July September 2021. were isolated and identified, their susceptibility 19 antibiotics was tested. recovered one two species 208 29 samples, respectively. One clone each sample further characterized, for total 266 isolates. Escherichia coli predominated, followed by Klebsiella. frequent, with 98.5% (262/266) isolates resistant at least antibiotic. Additionally, 89.5% (238/266) multidrug resistant, being frequent against all tested except carbapenems tigecycline, which no found. Importantly, 71.2% (198/278) carried ESBL species, 85.3% (227/266) displayed phenotype. This study confirms stresses need action preserve efficacy antibiotics, as crucial treatment bacterial infections.