Investigation of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Frequency in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Isolated From Individuals Affected By a Major Earthquake

Aim: Extended-Spectrum -Lactamase (ESBL) -producing Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.pneumoniae) are threatening pathogens which are more resistant to antibiotics in healthcare settings all around the world.The spread of these pathogens may be triggered by natural disasters such as earthquake and flood.Material and Method: A total of 3129 subjects were included in this study and evaluated retrospectively between January 2023 and July 2024 just before and after a major earthquake.VITEK 2 compact automatized system was used to identify the strains.Extendedspectrum -lactamase production was determined by double disc synergy test and combine disc synergy test.VITEK 2 compact automatized system was used to determine the antibiotic resistance of strains.All statistical analyses were performed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program.Chi-square test was applied in comparing the variables between the groups.Statistical significance threshold was found to be P value of <0.05.Results: Nine hundred and fifty two E.coli and 355 K.pneumoniae strains were isolated from 3129 clinical samples.The 478 E. coli (50.21%) and 102 K.pneumoniae strains (28.73%) were found to be ESBL-positive.ESBL-producing E.coli strains were mostly resistant to cefuroxime (97.48%), ceftriaxone (84.51%) and 97.05% resistance rate was determined in ESBL-positive K.pneumoniae strains against ceftriaxone. Conclusion:Although ESBL positivity was high in E.coli strains and not significantly different when compared with literature, it was found to be relatively moderate in K.pneumoniae strains.It can be said that despite the major earthquake disaster, these findings are promising.