Atena Malaki - Department of Biotechnology, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran
Elaheh Ferdosi-Shahandashti - Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Amirhosein Maali - Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Parisa Sabbagh - Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
Aynaz Khademian - Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

Introduction: Proteus spp. are opportunistic members of Enterobacteriaceae, accounting for ۱۰% of urinary tract infections and other primary clinical infections. They produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) that can confer resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility, molecular characteristics, and genetic relationship of ESBL-producing Proteus spp. clinical isolates in Babol, Northern Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, out of ۱۱۲ clinical samples, ۳۰ Proteus spp. isolates were identified via specific biochemical assays. According to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using disc diffusion and agar dilution methods, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect blaTEM and blaSHV genes. Results: The resistance rate to tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole was highest by disk diffusion and agar dilution. Multiple drug-resistant (MDR) isolates were ۸۶% and ۶۰% in disk diffusion and agar dilution assays. Seven (۲۳.۳%) isolates had the blaTEM genes and ۱۸ (۶۰%) blaSHV. Conclusion:  ESBL-producing Proteus spp. was highly prevalent, and the blaSHV was the most common resistance contributing gene. These findings and relatively high resistance to ampicillin demand more care in prescribing antibiotics. Also, the high prevalence of MDR isolates in patients infected with ESBL-producing Proteus spp. requires continuous surveillance.

Proteus spp, Beta-lactamase, Multi-drug resistance, Antibiotic resistance