Prevalence of ambler class a extended-spectrum- β -lactamases (ESBLS) among Uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from Rasht city, Iran

Abstract

Extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), a group of bacterial enzymes which are the major cause of resistance to penicillins, broad spectrum cephalosporins and monobactams, are found among the member of Enterobacteriaceae. The class A ESBLs are mainly encoded by the plasmid mediated bla_SHV, bla_TEM and bla_CTX-M genes. In this study, prevalence of Ambler class A ESBL genes among uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) isolates associated with community acquired infections and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern was investigated. Seventy UPEC strains were isolated from urine samples and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility assay using disk diffusion method. Phenotypic screening of ESBL production was evaluated according to the CLSI combined disk method. Genotyping of Ambler class A ESBLs was investigated using PCR. According to the results, ESBLs was identified in 37 isolates while molecular assay showed 47 isolates harbored ESBL genes. The most prevalence was recorded for bla_TEM (74.2%) followed by bla_CTX-M (43.2%) and bla_SHV (12.2%). Imipenem was the most effective drug and ESBL producing isolates showed higher resistance to CAZ, CRO, CFZ, CTX and FOX compared to non ESBL isolates. In conclusion, high prevalence of class A ESBL genes was observed in our study which needs more consideration and rational antibiotic prescription.