Comparison of virulence factors between ESBL and non-ESBL producing isolates.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for causing nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Its pathogenicity is associated with a variety of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. The aim of the present study was to compare virulence attributes between ESBL and non-ESBL producing isolates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 113 including 56 ESBL and 57 non ESBL-producers were collected in Bushehr province, Iran, from November 2017 to February 2019. Enzymatic profile, hypermucoviscosity and biofilm formation were investigated phenotypically. In addition, the presence of and genes were detected by PCR and sequencing.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in enzymatic profile between ESBL and non-ESBL producers. The prevalence of the hypermocoviscosity was lower among ESBL compared to non-ESBL producers but the intensity of biofilm was higher in the ESBL producers. Among the virulence genes, and were observed only in non-ESBLs. Moreover, the carriage of and genes was higher in hypermucoviscous in comparison with non hypermucoviscous isolates.

CONCLUSION

The identification of potentially pathogenic isolates plays an important role in preventing their spread as well as the success of their treatment.