As a result of the ever increasing problem of multiresistant bacteria, we instituted a surveillance program with the aim of identifying
the basic molecular properties of ESBL in our environment. About 197 isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were
selected and tested for ESBL production and antimicrobial susceptibility. Plasmid profiles were determined and curing ability was
tested. ESBL prevalence was 26.4% for all isolates tested, with E. coli having a greater proportion. There was absolute resistance to
ampicilin, tetracycline, and co-trimaxole among tested isolates.There was above average susceptibility to the 2nd and 3rd generation
cephalosporins. Plasmid profiles of tested isolates ranged from 9 kbp to 26 kbp with average of 14.99 ± 2.3 kbp for E. coli and
20.98±1.8 kbp K. pneumoniae, 9.6% of ESBL positive E. coli plasmids were cured, while 3.9% of K. pneumoniae plasmids were cured
after treatment. The present study shows an upsurge in ESBL acquisition by gram negative bacteria and evidence of cocirculation of
varying subtypes of ESBL with both plasmid transmissible and chromosome encoded subtypes. This calls for universal surveillance
and more effort towards molecular epidemiology of this public health treatment.