ESBL‐production in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from Nigeria

The worldwide increase in infections caused by extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐ (ESBL) and AmpC‐producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL‐E) is a concern. Surveillance is extensive in Europe, North America, and Asia. Yet, there is no summarizing surveillance in Africa. This study aimed to perform a preliminary investigation on the prevalence of ESBL‐E in the northeastern part of Nigeria. However, of the 60 samples collected, we were able to culture 15 Escherichia coli and 7 Klebsiella spp. only. In the collection of clinical hospital samples, we found eight of 15 E. coli isolates to be ESBL (53%) and two out of seven Klebsiella spp. to be ESBL/AmpC (29%). Due to the limitations of this study, our findings cannot take a broad view on the prevalence of ESBL‐E, in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. Yet, to know which genes encode ESBL in Nigeria, and to know exact prevalence of every ESBL gene would be of importance.