ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Production of ß-lactamase enzymes by Gram-negative bacteria is the most common mechanism to acquire drug resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics. Limitations in detecting extended spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) and Amp-C ß-lactamases have contributed to the uncontrolled spread of bacterial resistance and are of significant clinical concern. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 148 samples was selected on the basis of resistance against third-generation cephalosporin for screening ESBLs and Amp-C ß-lactamases production. These multidrug-resistant strains were phenotypically screened for ESBL production by phenotypic confirmatory disc diffusion test and double disc synergy test. Modified three-dimensional method was used for Amp-C ß-lactamases detection. RESULT: Among the 148 isolates, 82 (55.40%) were ESBL producers, and 115 (77.70%) were Amp-C ß-lactamases producers. Co-existence of ESBL and Amp-C was observed in 70 (47.29%) isolates. Escherichia coli was the most common ESBL and Amp-C ß-lactamase producer. All ESBL producers were highly resistant to ciprofloxacin (83.10%), cotrimoxazole (95.27%), and gentamicin (89.18%). However, these bacterial strains were sensitive to imipenem 146 (98.64%) and piperacillin/tazobactam 143 (96.62%). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that ESBL producing organisms were not only resistant to cephalosporins but also to other group of drugs and also that multiple mechanisms play a role in drug resistance among Gram-negative bacteria.
