Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the most common etiological agents of
hospital acquired and community acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) and the
incidence of antibiotic resistant strains has been steadily increasing over the past few
years resulting in limitation of therapeutic options. Our objectives were to investigate
the prevalence and molecular characterization of extended spectrum β- lactamases
(ESBLs) producing E. coli isolated from out-patients and hospitalized patients with UTI
attending Urology Department of Sohag University Hospitals during the period from
May 2014 to May 2015. Methodology: Forty four E. coli isolates were collected during
the study period. The isolates were tested for antibiotic sensitivity by the disc diffusion
method. All isolates were screened phenotypically for ESBL production by the double
disc diffusion (DDD) test. The presence of blaCTX-M-I, blaTEM and blaSHV genes in
ESBL- producing E. coli was tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results:
showed high prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli; as 88.6% of the collected isolates
were ESBL producers. Twenty- eight (71.8 %) isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR).
CTX-M-I gene was the most prevalent ESBL type (95 %); followed by TEM (53.8%) and
lastly SHV gene which was detected only in 10.3% of cases. Conclusions: E. coli isolates
carrying multiple ESBL genes are widespread in our locality. CTX-M-I -producing E.
coli are currently a problem which may be related to the misuse of third generation
cephalosporins, especially cefotaxime. Continuous monitoring, effective infection control
measures and judicious antibiotic usage are required.