Detecting of Beta-lactamase Genes in Clinical Isolates of Escherichia Coli Isolated From Baqiyatallah Hospital of Bashagard and Evaluating Their Antibiotic Resistance and Biofilm Formation

Biofilm formation has been observed in different species of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The formation of biofilms in the airways of pneumonia patients and chronic lung patients is one of the important factors in prolonging the treatment period, exacerbating clinical symptoms and even death of patients. The present study aimed to investigate beta-lactamase genes in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli isolated from Baqiyatallah Bashagard Hospital and to evaluate their antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. In the present study, 60 isolates from fecal samples of patients with symptoms of diarrhea and suspected Escherichia coli infection were collected and selected from Baqiyatallah Hospital of Bashagard. After confirmation of Escherichia coli strains using microbial culture and biochemical tests, the presence of three beta-lactamase genes in these isolates was examined. The ability of isolates to form biofilms and their resistance to two different antibiotics were also measured. A phenotypic study of isolates based on optical absorbance measurements showed that among the clinical Escherichia coli isolated from Baqiyatallah Hospital of Bashagard, only 10 isolates could form a strong biofilm in the microtiter plate.&nbsp