INVESTIGATION OF PREVALENCE OF TEM GENE AMONG ESCHERICHIA COLI STRAINS ISOLATED FROM ARAK HOSPITALS

Background and Aim:In recent years, extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing Escherichia coli (E.coli) have emerged as a major problem worldwide. Most of the β-lactamases are members of TEM family. The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of blaTEM β-lactamase gene among E. coli isolates in Arak, Iran.Methods:This cross-sectional study was done among a total of 100 E.coli strains isolated from clinical samples in Arak hospitals. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of all isolates was determined by disk diffusion method . The ESBLs producing strains were confirmed by combined disk-test at the presence of Cefotaxim and clavulanic acid. The presence of TEM gene in ESBL was assessed by PCR method.Results:The results of combined disk-test show that the prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli was 26%. Among the ESBL producing E. coli, 22% were positive for TEM gene. The highest sensitive rate was observed against tazocin (88%) and aztreonam (87%) but they were resistance to cefuroxime (53%).Conclusion:TEM gene is the most common gene among ESBL producing E.coli strains isolated from Arak hospitals. Continuous surveillance is essential to monitor the ESBLs producing E.coli in hospitals. Resistance to β-lactam antibiotics is a major challenge for the management of ESBL infections.

Keywords:

Escherichia coli , Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) , TEM gene , Arak hospitals