Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Clinical Enterobacterales from Dédougou, Burkina Faso

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the frequency of Enterobacterales producing extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) and to conduct a molecular characterisation of the ESBL resistance genes circulating in this region of Burkina Faso. Enterobacterales were isolated from clinical samples collected from the two main healthcare centres in Dédougou (Regional Hospital Center and Notre Dame de Bonne Délivrance Clinic). Isolates were identified using API 20E and confirmed by MALDI-TOF using a Vitek ^® MS system. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method. The ESBL genes and E. coli phylogenetic groups were characterized by polymerase chain reaction.

Among the 274 recovered Enterobacterales isolates, 148 (54%) were ESBL producers, predominantly E. coli (n = 112/194; 57.73 %) and K. pneumoniae (n = 24/54; 44.44 %). The blaCTX-M-1 group genes were the most prevalent (88.97%; 121/136) among the ESBL-producing Enterobacterales , followed by the blaCTX-M-9 group genes (11.03%; 15/136). All 112 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were classified into four phylogenetic groups: A (n = 48/112, 42.86%), B1 (n = 9/112, 8.03%), B2 (n = 53/112, 47.32%), and D (n = 2/112, 1.79%).

The results of this study highlight a concerning spread of ESBL genes in this region of Burkina Faso. Public health efforts should prioritize education both for the general public and healthcare professionals, along with surveillance. Promotion of appropriate and restricted use of antibiotics is advocated to limit the spread of multi-resistant bacteria at the local level.