OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of ESBL among clinical K. pneumoniae isolates in Nigeria (2007 – 2017).

METHODS: Pubmed, Scopus and Google scholar electronic databases were searched to identify studies. Search terms used include Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamse, ESBL, Klebsiella pneumoniae, enterobacteriaceae, and Nigeria. Studies that report prevalence of ESBL K. pneumoniae in at least 30 non-duplicate clinical specimens were selected. Study characteristics and prevalence of ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates were extracted using a data collection form.

RESULTS: A total of 283 articles were screened and 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. Three of the studies were conducted in Southern while four studies included isolated collected in Northern Nigeria. All the studies were prospective in nature. The studies include a total of 744 K. pneumoniae isolates with 237 ESBL phenotypes. Available data indicates that there is an increase in the prevalence of ESBL K. pneumoniae in both regions. The prevalence in the South-West has increased from 12.7% (2005 – 2007) to 37.5% (2011) and from 14.8% (2010 – 2011) to 62.9% in (2012 – 2014) in North-Western Nigeria. The prevalence of ESBL K. pneumoniae in the South-South, North-East and North-Central was 43.8%, 33.1% 26.7% respectively. It was observed that surgical wounds and urine isolates had higher prevalence of ESBL K. pneumoniae.

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of ESBL K. pneumoniae infection in Nigeria is increasing. Active surveillance of the prevalence of ESBL K. pneumoniae infections is recommended.