Detection of CTX-M-15 Among Uropathogenic Isolated from Five Major Hospitals in Tripoli, Libya.

Objectives: Multidrug resistance (MDR) and emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) among uropathogenic have been reported worldwide, but there was no information on the detection of in major teaching hospitals in Libya. The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of CTX-M-15 β-lactamases producers isolated from five teaching hospitals in Tripoli, Libya.

Methods: A total of 346 urine samples were collected from hospitalized patients in five teaching hospitals with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI). Phenotypic confirmation of ESBLs was confirmed by E-test strip; all ESBL-producing isolates were screened for the gene.

Results: The distribution of ESBL-producing varied among the five hospitals. The highest proportion was identified in Tripoli Medical Centre (67.6%). There were extremely high proportions of isolates resistant to ceftriaxone, cefepime, and ceftazidime (93.0-100.0%) among ESBL producers compared to non-ESBL producers (2.2-4.7%). MDR was detected in 22.2% of isolates. The majority of isolates (85.9%) in which was identified were ESBL producers. There was a correlation ( < 0.001) between expression of CTX-M-15 and resistance to ceftazidime.

Conclusions: The isolation of MDR ESBL-producing uropathogens expressing the CTX-M-15 gene will limit the choices clinicians have to treat their patients with UTIs. Continued surveillance and implementation of efficient infection control measures are required.