Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Klebsiella isolates at University Teaching Hospital, Ilorin

Klebsiella, a major component of the normal intestinal flora is an important member of the family Enterobacteriaceae. They account for 80 percent of clinical significant isolates. The aim of this study is to isolate Klebsiella species and determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Klebsiella species were isolated from various clinical samples brought to the microbiology laboratory. All routinely identified Klebsiella isolates were characterised by sub culturing onto MacConkey agar. The sensitivity rate of the isolates to some selected, popularly used and readily available antibiotics was determined. Beta lactamase production of the isolates was determined by the double disc synergy test (DDST). About One hundred and sixty-four isolates of Klebsiella were examined. Two species of Klebsiella were identified, and they are Klebsiella pneumoniae eumoniae 88.0% and Klebsiella oxytoca 12.0%. Thirty-two of the isolates were found to contain ESBL. The most active antibiotic was Piperacillin 100%, Imipenem 98.2%, Sulbactam 74.9%, and Azithromycin 73.2%. The isolates that expressed extended spectrum beta-lactamase were susceptible to Imipenem and Piperacillin, showing moderate sensitivity to Ofloxacin 69.9% and Ciprofloxacin 56.3%. The isolates were resistant to Augmentin 72.8%, Cefuroxime 72.5%, and Ceftriaxone 60.0%. The study recommends the effective use of the laboratory for determination of the sensitivity pattern of clinical isolates rather than relying on empirical use of antibiotics, because the sensitivity pattern of these clinical isolates keep changing.