Prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase Encoding Genes in Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Various Clinical Samples in a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre, Kerala, India

Introduction: Cancer patients are disproportionately at high risk of developing infections, with a infection about 10 times than that non cancer patients. Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) enzyme producing gram-negative bacteria have been marked as one the “serious” threat by centre for disease control. This has ability to hydrolyse beta-lactam antibiotics and posses major immunocompromised Hence, understanding its prevalence grammatical level is important decide upon type drugs be prescribed. Aim: To study ESBL genes among Gram- Negative Bacteria (GNB) isolated from Materials Methods: The present was hospital- based cross-sectional carried out in Microbiology Division, Malabar Centre, Thalassery, Kerala, India, January March 2021. Microbiological identification causative agents done staining, culturing biochemical methods. Screening isolates using Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST). Antibiotic susceptibility testing modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. producers were genotypically confirmed through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) typed accordingly. data given average standard deviation analysed Microsoft Excel. Results: Out 1,310 specimens, 366 (27.9%) culture positive. Among GNB, Escherichia coli (50%) followed Klebsiella pneumoniae (46.07%), Proteus (1.96%) Enterobacter cloacae (0.98%) predominant isolates. Most these (Escherichia coli, pneumoniae) Multidrug Resistant (MDR). However, significant (98.03%), (36.1%), Proteus, (100%) sensitive immunocompromised. 102 producers, blaTEM (67.64%) highest blaCTX-M (10.78%), blaSHV (14.70%) blaOXA (18.62%). All tested showed presence four beta- lactamase encoding PCR. One isolate mirabilis found producer phenotypic methods but lacked genes. Conclusion: Higher strains warrants stringent measures tackle spread MDR strains. Carbapenems can considered drug choice against producers. Highly prevalent gene could potential therapeutical diagnostic target GNBs.