ANALYSİS OF CTXM, TEM, AND SHV ANTİBİOTİC RESİSTANCE GENES İN SELECTED BACTERİAL PATHOGENS İN VAN PROVİNCE, TURKEY

*Ömer AKGÜL

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), initially identified in Germany, have since become prevalent worldwide. ESBL genes have been detected in various bacteria, which have been implicated in both community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections. This study aimed to analyze the presence and prevalence of CTXM, TEM, and SHV genes in selected bacterial pathogens within our hospital. In this study, 53 ESBL-producing bacteria were collected from Van Training and Research Hospital. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and molecular analyses of the bacteria were performed. The overall prevalence of ESBL genes in this study was 87% (46/53). Multiplex PCR simultaneously amplified and detected the presence of blaSHV, blaCTX-M, and blaTEM genes, respectively. Single PCR amplification assays for the detection of different CTX-M groups revealed that 47% (25/53) of the isolates were positive for CTX-M group 1, while no isolates were positive for any of the other CTX-M groups tested. ESBLs are considered to be one of the most important antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Multidrug resistance is emerging in many Gram-negative pathogens and is associated with serious hospital-acquired infections. To eliminate the spread and transmission of these ESBL-producing strains, the implementation of rapid diagnostic techniques, such as multiplex PCR, to detect these strains is necessary for successful surveillance and appropriate treatment in hospitals.