Investigation of ampC & esbl genes in Escherichia coli isolated from human and poultry

Beta-lactam antibiotics are currently the most common treatment for bacterial infections. The production of beta-lactamase enzymes are the most important reason of bacterial resistance to these antibiotics. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of ampC and esbls genes in E. coli isolated from human and poultry. In this cross-sectional study, 400 urine samples were collected from medical centers and also 200 swab poultry cloaca samples were collected from poultry farms located in Tehran province. Phenotypic identification of the beta-lactamase producing strains was performed using disk diffusion method. The presence of ampC and esbls genes in bacteria was studied using PCR approach. A total of 120 (30%) human sample and 50 (25%) poultry samples were infected to E. coli. Phenotyping evaluation showed that 54 cases (45%) of the human samples carried esbls beta-lactamase gene while 2 cases (1.67%) carried ampC beta-lactamase gene. In poultry samples, 3 cases (21.4%) were confirmed for ESBLs enzymes and none of them carried ampC gene. Based on genotyping analysis 2 (1.67%) of the strains isolated from human samples carried ampC gene. Based on the results of this study, the ampC beta-lactamase gene was found in human samples, but more accurate studies are required for poultry. Due to high risk factor of the beta-lactamase producing organisms in nosocomial infections further studies is suggested to prevent their spread in community.