Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of ESBL-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from North of Palestine

Fifty-Two isolates of E. coli were recovered from different hospitals and private labs in Jennin district-Palestine, during February-April 2015. Results showed that the prevalences of ESβL and AmpC β-lactamase using conventional techniques were 32.7% and 26.9%, respectively. Whereas, the prevalences using PCR technique were 67.3% and 5.8% for ESβL and AmpC β-lactamase, respectively. TEM gene was the dominant (82.9%) among E. coli that carried ESβL genes. Other genes were (0.0%), (2.9%) and (15.4%) for CTX-M, SHV and OXA genes, respectively. Whereas, AmpC β-lactamases only DHA gene was detected and the prevalence was (5.8%). Molecular analysis by construction phylogenetic tree showed that all sequenced TEM, SHV, OXA and DHA genes were belonged to TEM-1, SHV-1, OXA-1 and DHA-1, respectively. ERIC results showed that these strains were diverse and unrelated clones. Our results underline the need for continuous monitoring and surveillance of the prevalence, proper control and prevention practices and effective antibiotic use will limit the further spread of Amp-C β-lactamases and ESβLs producing isolates within hospitals in Palestine.