Evaluation of Antibiotic Sensitivity, Biofilm Formation Ability, and Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBLs) in Clinically Isolates Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Background & Objective: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes in bacteria that resist many antibiotics. Detection of ESBLs production is important as it's a marker of colonization and potential transfer to other patients. We studied the antibiotic susceptibility, biofilm formation capacity, and prevalence of ESBLs of opportunistic bacteria including K. pneumoniae and E. coli. The isolates capable of biofilm formation were analyzed among 100 E. coli and 104 K. pneumoniae isolates.  Materials & Methods: This process involved collecting and identifying bacterial samples, testing antibiotic susceptibility, detecting ESBLs phenotypes, and multidrug-resistance (MDR) isolates, assessing biofilm formation capability, and evaluating results through statistical analysis.   Results: The susceptibility tests for discs were performed following the guidelines outlined by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute in 2023 (CLSI). K. pneumoniae exhibits inherent resistance to ampicillin, while 80 (80%) strains of E. coli have been reported to be resistant to ampicillin. Additionally, 50 K. pneumoniae isolates and 41 E. coli isolates were found capable of forming a biofilm. Seven of E. coli (17.07%), and seven of K. pneumoniae (14%) isolates could form a mighty biofilm. It was observed that the strongest resistance in the isolates that formed strong biofilm was related to tetracycline with 5 (7.2%) resistance in K. pneumonia and 7 (7%) resistance in E. coli. Furthermore, 47 (47%) of E. coli, and 21 (20.2%) of K. pneumoniae isolates were classified as ESBLs producers, and 52 (50%) K. pneumoniae and 72 (72%) E. coli isolates were classified as MDR. Conclusion: Considering the role of biofilm in the transfer of genes, appropriate health policies, and the correct administration of effective antibiotics can help in prevention.

Evaluation of Antibiotic Sensitivity, Biofilm Formation Ability, and Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBLs) in Clinically Isolates Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Keywords:

Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Antibiotic-resistant , Biofilm , ESBLs , MDR