Molecular Detection of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases in Escherichia coli isolated from Clinical Specimens

Abstract

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) have become widespread throughout the world and are now found in a significant percentage of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains in certain countries. This study was conducted in the Research Laboratory in Sudan University of Science and Technology. The study was carried out during the period from December 2009 to May 2010, to detect TEM, SHV and CTX-M genes in ESBLs-producing E. coli. The E. coli strains were obtained from the Research Laboratory. All strains were checked for purity by sub-culturing on nutrient agar and examined microscopically. Bacterial DNA was extracted from each isolate using boiling method. Multiplex PCR was adopted to detect the different genes including (SHV, CTX-M). The result revealed presence of TEM gene only in six of the isolates. It is concluded that, TEM gene is the commonest gene in E. coli isolates. Thus, this gene may be the dominant one that responsible for ESBL phenomenon among E. coli infection in Sudanese patients. Further studies required for confirmation of presence of these genes in clinical Sudanese isolates.