Esbl Producing Organisms Profile From Urinary Tract Isolates in Children, a Single Center Study

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) remains one of the most common infections diagnosed in outpatients and in hospitalized patients. Current knowledge on antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of uropathogens is mandatory for appropriate therapy. Extended spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria; as a part of multidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, are growing problems. ESBL hydrolyzes expanded spectrum antibiotics like Cephalosporins which are used in the treatment of UTI. Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to define the profile of acquisition of extended spectrum beta-lacatamase (ESBL) producing bacteria in children seen in King Talal Military Hospital with community acquired urinary tract infections and to evaluate their antimicrobial resistance. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing medical records in the microbiology laboratory in King Talal Military Hospital which serves the Eastern area of Jordan, Almafraq Governorate. Urine culture results in pediatric patients in two years period between January 2023 to December 2024, in which antimicrobial sensitivity of urinary isolates also was identified, were included and all samples were screened for ESBL production. Results: A total of 1058 patients in our study grew Gram-negative bacteria urinary isolates over the study period. 196 cases were with ESBL-producing strains and 862 cases with non-ESBL producing Gram negative bacteria. Most of the ESBL-producing organisms isolated were sensitive to carbapenems (100% of ESBL organisms susceptible to ertapenem and and 96.9% susceptible to imipenem and meropenem) and Amikacin (95.9 % of ESBL organisms susceptible). Conclusion: ESBL producing organisms are emerging problem that accounts for a significant percentage of organisms that were isolated from urine cultures in pediatric patients in Almafraq.