Molecular Screening of bla-TEM-68 Gene for TEM-68 ESBLs Resistant K. pneumoniae and C. freundii from Hospital Waste in Adamawa state Specialist Hospital, Yola

Abstract
Resistant strains of K. pneumoniae and C. freundii due to under use and over use of antibiotics and biocides has contributed to economic burden due to nosocomial infections. This study focuses on screening hospital wastes for antibacterial and biocide resistant K. pneumoniae and C. freundii in Adamawa state specialist hospital, Yola. One hundred and twenty (120) hospital wastes samples were analysed. Samples were cultured on appropriate media and incubated at 37 oC for 24h. Biochemically identified isolates were molecularly confirmed and sequenced. K. pneumoniae being 93% identical to strain KPNIH48 and C. freundii being 99% identical to complex sp CFNH4 were confirmed. Resistant K. pneumonia and C. freundii were subjected to phenotypic ESBLs test, then DDS test was carried out to confirm ESBLs production. Phenotypically ESBLs positive K. pneumoniae were positive for DDST but negative for C. freundii. The DDST positive isolates were then screened for bla-TEM-68 gene. All the DDST positive K. pneumoniae harboured the bla-TEM-68 gene but none in C. freundii. The isolates carrying bla-TEM-68 gene were cured using 10 % SDS and the results showed that the ESBLs genes were plasmid and/or chromosomally encoded. The presence of K. pneumoniae carrying bla-TEM-68 gene indicates a possibility for increased nosocomial infections in Adamawa state and Nigeria at large and so relevant preventive recommendations were made.