Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance patterns and ESBL resistance genotypes of Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from patients presenting with urinary tract infections at Mama Lucy Hospital, Kenya

: Multidrug -resistance in has increased rapidly and present a global public health challenge. This challenge has resulted from the Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producers rendering most of beta-lactam antibiotics ineffective posing a therapeutic threat. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and ESBL specific resistant genes in isolated from urinary tract-infected patients at Mama Lucy Hospital. : A cross-sectional study was conducted among consenting 400 suspected urinary tract infected patients visiting Mama Lucy hospital, Kenya. Midstream urine samples were collected, cultured,identified and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns determined using the disc diffusion method and ESBL production detected using double disc synergy test. The ESBL positive phenotypes were then confirmed by PCR targeting four beta-lactamase SHV, TEM, CTX-M and OXA genes. : A total of 400 participants were found to have UTIs. The females’ participants were 77.25% while males were 22.75%. The majority participants were between 30-35 years of age (33.5%). Out of the total 400 participants, accounted for 40 (19.41%) out of which 30 (75%) were confirmed ESBL positive. High resistance was observed against Ampicillin (84.37%), while 40.62% showed an equal resistance to Ceftriaxone, and Cefotaxime and Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim with 37.50%. Chloramphenicol 96.87%, and Nitrofurantoin 90.62% were effective to isolates. None of the isolates showed resistance to Imipenem. The TEM (66.66%) was the most prevalent ESBL gene detected, SHV at 60%, CTX-M at 40% and the least was OXA at 3.33%. : The high prevalence of , and high trends of ESBL resistance genes were observed. The routine laboratory testing for ESBL phenotypic and molecular methods is recommeded to optimize antibiotic management and reduce the risk of spread of infections caused by ESBL producers.