First description of CTX-M beta-lactamase-producing clinical Escherichia coli isolates from Egypt.
We studied the presence of beta-lactamases with an extended spectrum of activity in clinical Escherichia coli isolates from Cairo, Egypt. Forty-six E. coli isolates were collected from patients with urinary tract infections at a university hospital in 2001. Phenotypic characterisation identified a very high extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) rate of 60.9%. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and plasmid profiles revealed eight different clonal groups. All ESBL producers were polymerase chain reaction-positive for blaTEM and blaCTX-M genes. Within the CTX-M family, three different enzymes, CTX-M-14, CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-27, were found. The ESBL producers carried multiple plasmids and further plasmid-encoded resistances. In several strains, genes for up to six aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes were detected. A linkage to fluoroquinolone resistance was not observed. This study confirms the high rate of ESBLs in Egypt and further demonstrates the worldwide spread of genes coding for CTX-M enzymes in clinical isolates.
Mohamed Al-Agamy
Mohamed Hamed
MH
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
El-Din Ashour
Mohamed Seif
MS
Wiegand
Irith
I
D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics*
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C477098:CTX-M-27, E coli; C456080:beta-lactamase CTX-M-14; C473109:beta-lactamase CTX-M-15; D001618:beta-Lactamases