title: Molecular investigation of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes and potential drug resistance in clinical isolates of Morganella morganii.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics has become more common in Morganella morganii, which can cause of outbreaks of bacteremia and septicemia in postoperative patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Investigate drug susceptibility of M morganii, identify the gene responsible for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production and explore treatment options.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospitals in An Najaf, Iraq.
  
  
  METHODS
  M morganii isolates were identified based on morphology, biochemical tests and VITEK® 2 compact system using (GN-ID) card. M morganii isolates were subjected to antibiotic resistance tests using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) technique and an antibiogram was produced. Molecular studies were conducted using the polymerase chain reaction technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Minimum inhibitory concentration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 395 gram-negative bacteria, only 17 isolates M morganii grew on MacConkey agar. M morganii isolates strongly resistant to several antibiotics were considered multidrug resistant. All M morganii isolates were ESBL producers. Four genes (CTX-M, SHV, TEM and OXA) encoding the b-lactamase enzyme were detected. Meropenem and imipenem were highly active against the M morganii isolates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All isolates showed resistance to most common antibiotics, which limits options for treatment. This study provided useful information for selecting antibiotics to precisely target infections caused by M morganii.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limited to antibiotic susceptibility and genotype.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Abbas Sh. Al-Muhanna, Department of Biology,, University of Kufa,, Al Kufa Main Road,, An Najaf, Iraq 54001, T: +964.781-544-0226, alzahare1985@yahoo.com, ORCID ID: orcid.org/0000-0003-4525-6328.
authors.forename: Abbas S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Al-Muhanna
authors.affiliation: Dr. Abbas Sh. Al-Muhanna, Department of Biology,, University of Kufa,, Al Kufa Main Road,, An Najaf, Iraq 54001, T: +964.781-544-0226, alzahare1985@yahoo.com, ORCID ID: orcid.org/0000-0003-4525-6328.
authors.forename: Sddiq
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Muhanna
authors.forename: Maytham A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alzuhairi
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077731:Meropenem; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D020613:Morganella morganii / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000494:pharmacology; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013845:Thienamycins; D015378:Imipenem; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D000077731:Meropenem