Genetic and phenotypic detection of beta-lactamase isolated from Proteus mirabilis bacteria in hospitals of Anbar Province

The study aimed to isolated Proteus mirabilis and determine the genotype and phenotype of the beta-lactamase enzymes produced by these bacteria. 242 samples were collected from various pathogenic cases during the period of August 2023 to January 2024. fifty three isolates of Proteus mirabilis were isolates Distributed as follows: 47 isolates (88.7%) were obtained from urinary tract infection, 5 isolates (9.4%) from otitis media, while one isolate (1.9%) from vaginitis . the samples were diagnosed culturally using appropriate culture media , microscopically using the Gram stain and biochemically. then the isolates were confirmed using the VITEK Compact 2 device. After confirming the isolates, a sensitivity test was conducted against some antibiotics that belong to different groups, and the results showed that the highest resistant was against the antibiotic cefotaxime with a rate of 56.6%, and Amikacin with a rate of 41.5% followed by Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid with 35.9% , while ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, cefepime, and azithromycin the resistant rates were moderate with percentages 30.2% , 28.3% , 26.4% , and 20.8% respectively. The lowest percentages of resistance shown by the isolates was against Azeteronam with 5.7% , and imipenem with 3.8% , while for meropenem, all isolates were sensitive to this antibiotic. The results showed that 43.4% of the isolates were Multi-Drug Resistance, as the number of isolates that have resistance to more than three of the selected antibiotics is 23 isolates . Phenotypic results according to the PST test results showed that 32 isolates (60.38%) tested positive, indicating a high probability of beta-lactamase enzyme production according to the PCT test results. PCR and gel electrophoreses revealed that , blaTEM gene were present in 32.1% of the isolates , while blaSHV gene were present in 5.7% only. Intersitingly, blaCTX-M1 was present in all the isolates that produce beta-lactamases enzymes, 41.5%. Metalobeta-lactamases genes , blaIMP and blaGIM were present in 13.2% and 64.2% , respectively.