Correlation between blaSHV Gene and Biofilm Formation among Beta Lactamase Producing Uropathogenic Isolates from Patients in Erbil City in Iraq
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Bacterial resistance has been considered as one of the most serious threats in infectious disease, especially in development countries. However a geographical difference has been observed in the antibiotic sensitivity profile of uropathogens. A study from India reported that most of the uropathogenic E. coli strains were multi-drug resistant. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified resistant bacteria according to critically of need for new antibiotics into three groups; critical, high and medium priority. Enterobacteriaceae extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs) enzymes producing bacteria are classified within the critical priority. ESBLs have the ability to hydrolyze broad spectrum of β lactams (third-generation cephalosporins) and monobactams, but do not affect carbapenems or cephamycin. Based on their primary structure ESBLs are classified into four classes A, B, C and D enzymes. The class A ESBLs include cefotaximase (CTX-M), temoneira (TEM) and sulfhydryl variable (SHV). Additionally it is reported that the most common site for ESBL production are UTIs. Biofilm related infections are often associated with antibiotic resistance.