Molecular Detection of TEM Gene in Citrobacter frundii Isolated from Clinical Specimens

Abstract

This study was carried out in Khartoum state during the period from November to May 2010 as extention to the previous research .The research aimed to determine the frequency of Citrobacter frundii among patients with urinary tract infection , also it aimed to determine the frequency of extended spectrum beta lactamases ( ESBL) in this species by using modified Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Among three hundred and eleven ( n=311) patients, 11 (3,5%) were found to have UTI caused by Citrobacter frundii among which eight (72,7%) were considered as extended spectrum beta lactamases producer. The research was extended to determine the most frequent gene which is responsible for this phenomenon. Re-identification of the isolate was done by colonial morphology. Gram,s stain and biochemical tests using API20E. Modified Kirby– Bauer disc diffusion method was adopted to evaluate the resistance rate of C. frundyii to penicillin and third generation cephalosporins. Finally , DNA was extracted from each strain by boiling method and then PCR technique was adopted to detect the presence of TEM gene in these isolates . The results showed that TEM gene existed in all strains, these findings suggested that TEM gene may be the most dominant factor that induce ESBLs phenomenon .