Abstract
Background: The emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae constitutes a serious problem because of the transfer of resistance genes from one organism to another.
Objectives: To screen the antibiotic susceptibility of E. coli and K. pneumoniae from inpatients at King Abdul-Aziz Hospital, Al-Taif, Saudi Arabia and to detect common ESBL genes, and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping of the Enterobacteriaceae.
Methods: We analyzed 43 bacterial strains isolated from clinical samples of sporadic cases for their reactivity to different antibiotics. Strains that showed resistance by monoplex PCR were screened for ESBL TEM- and CTX-M-1-, -2-, and -9-encoding genes. Random amplifications were used for typing the resistant strains.
Results: The majority of the ESBL containing strains were sensitive to meropenem, amikacin, gentamicin, and tigecycline. PCR detection using ESBL gene-specific primers showed that 17 of 43 strains harbored genes for ESBL TEM, CTX-M-1, or CTX-M-2. RAPD typing revealed marked variation among the ESBL-producing E. coli in relation to each other.
Conclusions: Considerably high incidence of ESBL-producing bacteria was present patients from the local area of Al-Taif and nearby cities in Saudi Arabia with TEM and CTX-M subtypes being the most commonly detected variants. There was evidence of a polymorphic genetic pattern among ESBL-producing bacteria.