Abstract
Resistance to β-lactam antibiotics by gramnegative bacteria, especially Escherichia coli (E. coli), is a major public health issue worldwide. The predominant resistance mechanism in gram negative bacteria particularly E. coli is via the production of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBLs) enzymes. In recent years, the prevalence of β-lactamase producing organisms is increased and identification of these isolates by using disk diffusion method and no-one else is not satisfactory. So, this investigation focused on evaluating the prevalence of ESBL enzymes by disk diffusion method and confirmatory test (Combined Disk). Five hundred clinical samples were collected and 200 E. coli isolates were detected by standard biochemical tests. To performing initial screening of ESBLs was used from Disk diffusion method on E. coli isolates. A confirmation test (Combined Disk method) was performed on isolates of resistant to cephalosporin's indicators. Up to 70% isolates exhibited the Multi Drug Resistance phenotype. In Disk diffusion method, 128(64%) E. coli isolates which resistant to ceftazidime and cefotaxime while in Combined Disk, among 128 screened isolates, 115 (89.8%) isolates were detected as ESBLs producers. This survey indicate beta lactamase enzymes are playing a significant role in antibiotic resistance and correct detection of them in phenotypic test by using disk diffusion and combined Disk is essential for accurate recognition of ESBLs.