Occurrence of Beta- Lactamase Resistance among Isolates from Cancer Patients in Lagos, Nigeria

Bacteria infections associated with multidrug resistance have been implicated in the high mortality and morbidity reported among cancer patients. In recent years gram negative organisms isolates from patients with neoplasia have been found to produce beta-lactamases (β-lactamase) and this is of interest in developing countries where it is unreported or underreported. This study determined beta-lactamase mediated resistance in gram negative bacteria isolates from patients attending the radiology and Oncology clinic of Lagos University Teaching Hospital between April and November 2006.One hundred and nineteen samples were analyzed and sixty one gram negative isolates were recovered.The isolates were characterized with the analytical profile index(API) tests and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined using the disk diffusion method according to CLSI standard. Production of beta-lactamase and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) were investigated using the nitrocefin stick and double disk synergy test (DDST) respectively. Plasmid analysis was done on each bacteria isolate showing multidrug resistance. Of the sixty one gram negative isolates, 55((90.2%) produced betalactamases; 20(32.8%) were found to be ESBL producers while 14(23%) showed AmpC enzyme production. Twenty five out of twenty seven strains harbored plasmids of sizes ranging between 3.0-4.9kb. Statistical analyses showed occurrence of ESBL and AmpC production to be significant. The result of this study has shown a high occurrence of beta-lactamase mediated resistance among clinical isolates from cancer patients. Many of these harbored plasmids which may encode genes for antibiotic resistance or virulence factors which are becoming persistent problems in the health care sector. [Researcher.2009;1(6):1-6].(ISSN:1553-9865).