Determination of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiling Of ESBL-Producing K. Pneumoniae Isolated From Pediatric Patients Attending State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State

Abstract

The emergence and increasing prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing K. Pneumoniae has become a significant challenge in pediatric healthcare because these organisms are resistance to many commonly prescribed antibiotics, making infections more difficult and expensive to treat. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae from pediatric clinical samples at the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State. A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of four months, from October 2024 to January 2025 among 256 children Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Among the total of 256 clinical samples, K. pneumoniae was isolated from 44.1% (113/256), Escherichia coli (68, 26.6%), Enterobacter spp. (42, 16.4%), and finally Pseudomonas aeruginosa (32, 12.9%). A total of 14 isolates were tested against various antibiotics to determine their resistance patterns. The highest susceptibility was observed in amoxicillin, with 12 (85.7%) isolates being sensitive and only 2 (14.3%) resistant. Gentamicin also showed high effectiveness, with 11 (78.6%) sensitive isolates, followed by ciprofloxacin (71.4%) and nitrofurantoin (64.3%). Moderate susceptibility was observed with doxycycline (57.1%), augmentin (57.1%), cefixime (64.3%), and streptomycin (64.3%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high sensitivity to amoxicillin (85.7%), gentamicin (78.6%), and ciprofloxacin (71.4%), while high resistance was observed against co-trimoxazole (78.6%). This study demonstrates a considerable prevalence of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae among pediatric patients, with significant antimicrobial resistance patterns. The findings of this study will assist clinicians in selecting the most appropriate antibiotics for the treatment of pediatric infections caused by ESBL-producing K. Pneumoniae. The result will also support the development and implementation of antimicrobial programs, strengthening infection prevention and control model and provide baseline data for continuous antimicrobial resistance surveillance within the hospital and the region.