Antibiotic resistance pattern and frequency of beta lactamase and tetracycline resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infections in Tabriz

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent diseases in human. Unfortunately, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics leads to resistance in bacteria gradually. The aim of this study was to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern and frequency of beta lactamase and tetracycline resistance genes in Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infections in women in Tabriz. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 40 E.coli samples isolated from women with UTI were tested for determining the antibiotic resistance pattern as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) using disk diffusion method. Then, PCR assay was performed for identification of tetA, tetB, tetC, TEM and SHV genes. The most antibiotic resistance was related to ampicillin and cephalexin (100%) and the least antibiotic resistance was related to tetracycline (25%). The frequency of tetA, tetB, tetC, TEM and SHV genes was 5%, 0%, 0%, 30% and 0%, respectively. One E.coli isolate (2.5%) harbored TEM and tetA genes simultaneously. Antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli in UTI cases can indicate excessive use of antibiotics, the spread of antibiotic resistance gene cassettes and genetic transmission among the population. For definitive treatment and no resistance in pathogen strains, it is necessary to determine the resistance pattern to follow the resistance process.