Genotypic Characterisation and Antimicrobial Resistance of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Humans, Animals, and the Environment from Lusaka, Zambia: Public Health Implications and One Health Surveillance
Maisa Kasanga,
Márió Gajdács,
Walter Muleya,
Odion O. Ikhimiukor,
Steward Mudenda,
Maika Kasanga,
Joseph Chizimu,
Doreen Mainza Shempela,
Benjamin Bisesa Solochi,
Mark John Mwikisa,
Kaunda Yamba,
Cheryl P. Andam,
Raphael Chanda,
Duncan Chanda,
Geoffrey Kwenda
Affiliations
Maisa Kasanga
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka 15101, Zambia
Márió Gajdács
Department of Oral Biology and Experimental Dental Research, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
Walter Muleya
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Odion O. Ikhimiukor
Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
Steward Mudenda
Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka 15101, Zambia
Maika Kasanga
Department of Pharmacy, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka 15101, Zambia
Joseph Chizimu
Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Doreen Mainza Shempela
Department of Laboratory Services and Research, Churches Health Association of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Benjamin Bisesa Solochi
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka 15101, Zambia
Mark John Mwikisa
Department of Pathology, Lusaka Trust Hospital, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Kaunda Yamba
Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
Cheryl P. Andam
Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
Raphael Chanda
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka 15101, Zambia
Duncan Chanda
Centre of Excellence for Adult Infectious Diseases, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka 15101, Zambia
Geoffrey Kwenda
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka 15101, Zambia
Background: Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) in Escherichia coli are a serious concern due to their role in developing multidrug resistance (MDR) and difficult-to-treat infections. Objective: This study aimed to identify ESBL-carrying E. coli strains from both clinical and environmental sources in Lusaka District, Zambia. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 58 ESBL-producing E. coli strains from hospital inpatients, outpatients, and non-hospital environments. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method and the VITEK® 2 Compact System, while genotypic analyses utilised the Illumina NextSeq 2000 sequencing platform. Results: Among the strains isolated strains, phylogroup B2 was the most common, with resistant MLST sequence types including ST131, ST167, ST156, and ST69. ESBL genes such as blaTEM-1B, blaCTX-M,blaOXA-1, blaNDM-5, and blaCMY were identified, with ST131 and ST410 being the most common. ST131 exhibited a high prevalence of blaCTX-M-15 and resistance to fluoroquinolones. Clinical and environmental isolates carried blaNDM-5 (3.4%), with clinical isolates showing a higher risk of carbapenemase resistance genes and the frequent occurrence of blaCTX-M and blaTEM variants, especially blaCTX-M-15 in ST131. Conclusions: This study underscores the public health risks of blaCTX-M-15- and blaNDM-5-carrying E. coli. The strengthening antimicrobial stewardship programmes and the continuous surveillance of AMR in clinical and environmental settings are recommended to mitigate the spread of resistant pathogens.
