Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Escherichia coli Isolates from Different Clinical Samples in Abeokuta, Ogun State

The alarming increase of antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli has posed a great challenge in the public health sector. Thus, this microorganism is a leading cause of different human infections and it can be found in various environments. The aim of this study is to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and the multiple antimicrobial resistance profile of Escherichia coli isolates obtained from some hospitals in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Isolates of E. coli were obtained from different clinical samples and were re-identified morphologically and biochemically. E. coli was isolated from 30% out of a total of 70 clinical samples analyzed for isolation and identification. The isolation rate of E. coli was highest in urine samples 10(47.6%) when compared to other clinical samples. There was significant increase in the resistance rate of E. coli to tetracycline (14.3%), ceftazidime (14.2%), and ampicillin (14.2%).Also, an increased sensitivity rate to augmentin (71.4%), ofloxacin (66.7%), cefuroxime (66.7%), ciprofloxacin (61.9%) and ceftazidime (61.9%) were observed. Furthermore, the overall multiple drug resistance rates obtained was 14(66.7%) and it was established that, multiple antimicrobial resistance of the E. coli isolates was plasmid mediated. E. coli isolates exhibited high resistance rate to multiple antimicrobial agents, however, its sensitivity to augmentin, ofloxacin, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime showed that these antimicrobials are still effective against E. coli infections in the study area.