Molecular characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae in a Saudi Arabian tertiary hospital.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), and Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis). In addition, different methods for detection of these enzymes, including the newly introduced CHROMagar ESBL, were evaluated. METHODOLOGY A total of 382 Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates were obtained from King Fahad Specialist Hospital - Dammam, during 2011 and screened for production of ESBL using advanced expert system of Vitek 2, CHROMagar and ESBL-E-strips. PCR assay was used to detect blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M genes. Susceptibility to a panel of antibiotics was determined. RESULTS The overall proportion of ESBL-producing enterobacterial isolates was 30.6%, which was higher in E. coli (35.8%) than in K. pneumoniae (25.7%). ESBL genotypes showed remarkable increase in the CTX-M (97.4%) compared to SHV (23.1%). The predominant ESBL was CTX-M- 15 (92.1 %). No TEM ESBL was detected in this study. The Vitek2 showed the highest sensitivity (100%), and the CHROMagar had the lowest specificity (97.3%) compared to the molecular method. All isolates were susceptible to imipenem and meropenem. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms a high level of blaCTX-M positive ESBL isolates are circulating in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The trend of a multidrug-resistant profile associated with the recovery of the blaCTX-M gene is alarming.