Determination of fecal carriage rate of Fluoroquinolone Resistant E. coli in Hospital and community Settings of Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria

The level of resistance among Enterobacteriaceae is a concern for global health, and of particular concern is the spread of fecal carriage rates of fluoroquinolone resistance. This research aimed to assess the rates of fecal carriage of fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli in both hospital and community environments in Damaturu. This study involved random selection of total of 200 participants, comprising 100 hospitalized patients and 100 individuals from the community. A stool sample was collected from every participant. A questionnaire was administered to assess potential risk factors associated with the colonization of resistant bacteria. Ciprofloxacin (CIP) at a concentration of 1 mg/L was used to screen for the colonization of CIP-resistant E. coli using phenotypic and confirmatory techniques. The bacterial isolates were further subjected to a disc diffusion test to confirm resistance. The overall CIP-resistant E. coli rate was 41.5% (83/200). The 19- to 30-year age group included 83 participants, accounting for 41.5% of the total. Among individuals aged 31 years and older, there were 117 participants, accounting for 58.5%. The total comprised 108 males, which is 54.0%, and 92 females, making up 46.0%. In the study population, 58 (29.0%) participants reported having gastrointestinal system issues (diarrhea) at the time of sample collection. The history of antibiotic use among participants in the year preceding the study was 132 (66.0%). There was significant association between gender and CIP-resistant E. coli. A higher prevalence of fecal carriage of fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli was reported in hospitalized groups (77, 60.0%) than in community groups (51, 39.8%). This research suggests that intestinal colonization by fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli can occur in both hospital and community settings. Consequently, it is essential to implement control measures to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.