Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales in human health: Experience from the tricycle project, Ghana

Background Vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, are at increased risk of potentially life-threatening infections with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) for both mother and newborn. However, data regarding ESBL-E carriage and associated risk factors in Ghanaian pregnant women remain scarce. Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ESBL-E carriage and its associated risk factors among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Methods A systematic sample of 700 pregnant women with gestational age ≥ 34 weeks attending the antenatal clinic at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital was included in the study. After administering a structured questionnaire to assess potential risk factors associated with ESBL-E carriage, patients were given a sterile stool container to submit at least 1 g of stool specimen. Recovered isolates from faecal specimens were identified using MALDI-TOF-MS technology. These isolates were then subjected to susceptibility testing and ESBL identification. A random subset of 24 ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolates was whole-genome sequenced on the MiSeq Illumina platform. Risk factors associated with ESBL-E carriage were determined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results Among the 700 pregnant women, 42% (294) carried ESBL-E. The predominant ESBL-producing Enterobacterales were Escherichia coli (95%). Fifty percent (50%) of ESBL-E were multidrug resistant isolates (MDRs). Whole-genome sequencing of 24 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates revealed that blaCTX-M-15 (96%) was the most prevalent ESBL gene type. Notably, most isolates belonged to commensal phylogenetic groups (A, B1, and C; 88%). Having a primary level of education (aOR 1.45, 95% CI 1.05–1.96) and consuming legumes as the main source of protein (aOR 0.17, 0.40–0.83) were significantly associated with intestinal carriage of ESBL-E. Conclusion This study identified a high prevalence of ESBL-E and MDR-ESBL-E carriage among pregnant women. Our findings underscore the urgent need for public health interventions to control the spread of AMR.