Extended-Spectrum<i>β</i>-Lactamases among Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections in Gaza Strip, Palestine

Abstract

This study indicates that <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-15 was the most prevalent <i>β</i>-lactamase in this region. Our study demonstrates for the first time in Palestine the identification of <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-15 in <i>P. rettgeri</i> and <i>S. liquefaciens</i>, also <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-37 in <i>E. cloacae.</i> The coexpression of multiple <i>β</i>-lactamase genes with <i>aac(6')-Ib-cr</i> and <i>qnr</i> in the presence of IS<i>Ecp-1</i> and integrons in individual strains will increase the dissemination of highly resistant strains. ESBL producers were more resistant than non-ESBLs producers for almost all tested antibiotics.