Detection of Extended-Spectrum -Lactamases (ESBL) Producing Enterobacteriaceae from Fish Trapped in the Lagoon Area of Bizerte, Tunisia.

Extended-spectrum -lactamase and their molecular mechanism in were analyzed in 126 fish samples of 9 various wild species, living in the lagoon of Bizerte in Tunisia. Fifty-nine (59) Gram-negative strains were isolated and identified as ( = 24), ( = 21), ( = 8), and ( = 6). Forty-seven ESBL producers were identified using the synergic test. -Lactamase genes detected were (/15; /8; /1; /1), + (/4; /3), + (/2), + (/1; /1), + (/1), (/3; /1; /3), and (/3). Most strains (84.7%) showed a multiresistant phenotype. and genes were identified in six and in ten +one isolates, respectively. The resistance to tetracycline and sulfonamide was conferred by the and genes. Characterization of phylogenic groups in isolates revealed phylogroups D ( = 20 strains), B2 ( = 2), and A ( = 2). The studied virulence factor showed prevalence of genes in 9 isolates (37.5%). Similarly, no strain revealed the three other virulence factors tested (, , and ). Our findings confirmed that the lagoons of Bizerte may be a reservoir of multidrug resistance/ESBL-producing . This could lead to indisputable impacts on human and animal health, through the food chain.