Objectives: The spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC β-lactamases (AmpC) in Escherichia coli ( E. coli) is an important public health concern and ESBL-producing bacteria are commonly reported in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). The aim of this study is to determine the molecular detection of AmpC and ESBLs, among clinical E. coli isolated from inpatients who presented with symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) in Shiraz, the southwest of Iran.
Results: Among total 177 urinary isolates, the analysis showed that 46.3% of the isolates were ESBLs positive and that fifteen strains revealed the AmpC cluster genes. Among all ESBL-positive E. coli isolates, the CTX-M was the most prevalent ESBL type (68.2%), and in AmpC-positive isolates, fifteen isolates (88.2%) were positive for CITM cluster gene and two (11.7%) were positive for DHAM cluster gene. ACCM, FOXM , EBCM and MOXM cluster genes were not found in this study. Our findings revealed that the prevalence of AmpC β-lactamases is rising in Iran, leading to failure in treatment. Therefore, the current study recommended that accurate and precise methods and guidelines should be designed for detection of antibiotic-resistant mechanisms because it is very important for the treatment and prevention of such isolates.