Prevalence of antibiotic Beta-Lactamase resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolated from individuals with renal dysfunction in Gachsaran

Background & Objectives: The emergence of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli (E. coli), particularly among extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLs) producing strains, represents a growing global health concern. Patients with renal failure are especially vulnerable to recurrent hospitalizations and invasive interventions, making them highly susceptible to infections with   nosocomial infections. This study investigated the prevalence of blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaPER genes and examined antimicrobial resistance profiles in E. coli isolates obtained from renal failure patients in Shahid Rajaee hospital, Gachsaran, Iran.
Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 311 urine specimens collected from patients with renal failure. Among these specimens, 100 E. coli isolates were confirmed through biochemical identification. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the disk diffusion method, ESBLs production was confirmed by combined disk assay, and the presence of resistance genes was assessed using PCR.
 
Results: ESBLs activity was detected in 39% of isolates. Among ESBLs-producing strains, blaTEM was identified in 75%, blaSHV in 58.3%, and blaPER in 25%. The highest bacterial resistance was against nalidixic acid (61%), while the greatest susceptibility was to imipenem (92%). There is a statistically significant relationship between antibiotic resistance to the cefotaxime and different age groups of people. Also, 14% of isolates show multidrug resistance (MDR).
Conclusion: The high frequency of resistance determinants in E. coli isolated from patients with renal failure emphasizes the importance of rational antibiotic prescribing and strict infection control measures to reduce the spread of resistant strains in clinical settings.