Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase In Clinical Isolates Of Escherichia Coli And Klebsiella Pneumoniae From The Tamale Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are pathogens of significant public health interest to which new antibiotics therapies are urgently needed. AIM: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of ESBLs in clinical isolates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae from patients attending the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted from April through June, 2015. A total of 140 isolates of E. coli (83.6%; n=117) and K. pneumoniae (16.4%; n=23) were cultured from clinical specimens of consentin…