Abstract:

Background: ESBL producing gram negative bacteria colonizing gastrointestinal tract of cancer patients are known to be associated with urinary tract infection and sepsis. The infections caused by ESBL producing gram negative bacteria are associated with high morbidity and mortality due to treatment failure. There is limited information about the prevalence of blaCTX- M-15 gene on ESBL producing GNB colonizing gastrointestinal tract of cancer patients at BMC in Mwanza- Tanzania. This study is going to determine the prevalence of blaCTX-M-15 on ESBL producing gram- negative bacteria colonizing gastrointestinal tract of cancer patients at BMC in Mwanza – Tanzania.

Methods: the cross sectional laboratory based study was conducted among 45 phenotypic known ESBL producing gram negative bacteria archived at minus 40˚C freezer which were isolated from gastrointestinal tract of cancer patients at BMC in Mwanza- Tanzania, DNA was extracted by using heat technique,blaCTX-M-15 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and detection was done by gel electrophoresis. STATA version 13. Computer software was used for data analysis.

Results: out of 45 phenotypically known ESBL producing gram negative bacteria, only 23 isolates (51%) were found to contain blaCTX-M-15 gene.

Conclusion: the colonization rate of ESBL strains associated with CTX-M-15 among cancer patients at BMC is high. In the light of these findings, regular screening programs for ESBL phenotypically and genotypically is recommended to cancer patients as well as enforcement of implementation of antimicrobial stewardship policies. More studies are recommended to further explore the source of these resistant strains to cancer patients.