Molecular detection of extended spectrum ß-lactamase genes in Escherichia coli isolates from urinary tract infected patients

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) are a major source of concern. ESBL have been recorded around the world. Globally, the number of people infected with Enterobacteriaceae that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) is on the rise. It has been a rise in resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics among them. In this study, the objective was to collect Escherichia coli  isolates from Urinary tract infection patients using selective medium, determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli, phylogenetic groupings of isolates, ESBL production, and biofilm formation among the isolates of E. coli isolates. The study included 250 E. coli samples from male and female subjects and grown on a selective medium. The isolated bacteria were submitted to different tests, including the detection of biofilm development and testing of the phylogenetic grouping of the E. coli isolate using triplex-PCR analysis. Representatives of each isolate were phenotypically evaluated for antibiotic resistance and classified into phylogenetic groupings. The results of extended-spectrum ß -lactams antibiotics showed the greatest resistance levels. There were 100% resistance rates for Ceftazidime-Clavulantae (CZC) and Cefotaxime-Clavulantae (CTC), 78.7% for Ceftazidime (CAZ), 86.7% for Cefotaxime CTX, 84% for Aztreonam (ATM), 87.3% for Ceftriaxone (CRO) and 83.3% for Cefpodoxime (CPD). E. coli isolates belonging to phylogroup B2 (91, 91%), and subtyping B23 (75, 75%) were the most common among UTI patients. ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were prevalent in individuals with UTIs. Most E. coli isolates from UTI patients at Al-Hillah hospitals belonged to phylogroup B2, followed by D, B1, and A. B2 was the most prevalent group in the study. This study examined the dissemination of ESBL genes in phylogenetic groups of the E. coli isolates from UTIs patients in the Al-Hillah, Iraq.