Mohammad Bahloli
, Hossein Samadi Kafil, Parisa Roshani-Asl, Niloufar Rashidi
* , Seyyed Reza Moaddab
*
Abstract
Background: Escherichia coli (E.coli ) is one of the main causes of various diseases worldwide, whose multidrug resistant strains have faced the public health with many problems through producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs). The resistance rate varies in different regions. Thus, it is necessary to identify ESBL-producing strains in each region and their antibiotic sensitivity in order to find appropriate treatment options. Hence, the present study aimed to detect the ESBL-producing E.coli strains and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in Tabriz, Iran. Methods: This study was conducted at the Imam Reza Hospital of Tabriz, from 20 November 2022 to 20 April 2023. A total of 400 E.coli isolates were collected from different clinical specimens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method. Detection of ESBL-producing isolates was carried out by Double Disc Synergy Test method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guideline. Results: Out of 400 E.coli isolated, 211 (52.75%) were obtained from females and 189 (47.25 %) from males. The mean age of patients was 52.1±27.9 years. Overall, 279 (69.75%) were confirmed as ESBL producer. The ESBL-producers were mainly recovered from outpatients. The highest antibiotic resistance was observed to ceftriaxone (86.25%) and tetracycline (80.75%), and the least was to imipenem (8%) and amikacin (16.25%), respectively. The rate of antibiotic resistance among ESBL-producers was higher than among non-ESBLs. Conclusion: The present study reported high prevalence of ESBL-producing E.coli among patients referring to Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz. Carbapenems, aminoglycosides, and nitrofurantoins were confirmed as the most efficient drugs toward these bacteria, whereas cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and sulfonamides were the least effective agents.