title: Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing isolates over a 1-year period at a University Hospital in Oman.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases isolates over one year period at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified the ESBL isolates during a 12-month period from July 2004 to June 2005, using a commercial system, and confirmed the result using the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards-approved double-disk diffusion method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sensitivity was recorded for a wide range of antibiotics, aminoglycosides, carbapenem, cephalosporins, quinolones, aztreonam, ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, ampicillin/sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole and nitrofurantoin. Of the total ESBL isolated, 29.6% were from medical ward, followed by outpatients clinic, 24.3%. Urine was the main source of ESBLs 70.4%, followed by 16.5% from blood. We observed a 100% sensitivity to carbapenems, whereas 93.9% of the isolates were susceptible to amikacin. Cephalosporins were 100% resistant, except for cefoxitin, which demonstrated sensitivity of 77.4%. Aztreonam, ampicillin, co-amoxyclav and ampicillin/sulbactam were 100% resistant. Of the isolates, 57.4% were sensitive to nitrofurantoin, whereas Tazocin showed 49.6% sensitivity and co-trimoxazole 13.9%. To quinolones, 74.8% of the isolates were resistant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excess use of third generation cephalosporins led to increase rate of ESBLs, which are difficult to treat. Carbapenem are most reliable for treatment of infections caused by ESBL isolates. However, overuse of carbapenem may lead to resistance of other gram-negative organisms. Therefore, justifiable use of third-generation cephalosporins, will be an effective means of controlling and decreasing the spread of ESBL isolates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Post Box 834, Post Code 130, Azaiba, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. akbarrafay@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Akbar M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rafay
authors.forename: Zakariya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Al-Muharrmi
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Toki
mesh_terms: D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009850:Oman; D013997:Time Factors; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D001618:beta-Lactamases