First characterization of β-lactamases among clinical isolates of enterobacteria in the intensive care unit of Laghouat Hospital, Algeria

Abstract

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) are emerging worldwide in hospitals and in the community. The aim of the present study was designed to characterize the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) types in clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae and their clonal dissemination in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Laghouat hospital, Algeria. During the study period (from March 2011 to September 2014), 247Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from various clinical specimens. Fifty six (22.67%) Enterobacteriaceae isolates were found to ESBL-producers: (48.21%) K. pneumonia, (28.57%), E. coli and (23.21%) E. cloacae. All ESBL-producing isolates were multidrug resistant. The genetic analysis showed that all ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates were produced CTX-M-15, whereas TEM-4 was detected in only one isolate with 01.78% (1/56). ERIC-PCR analysis showed that the isolates are genetically unrelated. Our results underline the need for continuous surveillance of the high prevalence and evolution of this CTX-M-15 type β-lactamase in the intensive care unit of Laghouat hospital, Algeria.