Evolution of β-lactams resistance in Gram-negative bacteria in Tunisia

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a major health problem worldwide, but marked variations in the resistance profiles of bacterial pathogens are found between countries and in different patient settings. In Tunisia, the strikingly high prevalence of resistance of bacteria to penicillins and cephalorosporins drugs including fourth generation in clinical isolates of Gram negative bacteria has been reported. During 30 years, the emerging problem of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates is substantial, and some unique enzymes have been found. Recently, evidence that Gram-negative bacteria are resistant to nearly all available antimicrobial agents, including carbapenems, have emerged.

Keywords::

• Antibiotic resistance
• β-lactamases
• Tunisia

Acknowledgments

Sincere thanks are also presented to Professor Antonio Correia from Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal for his support, assistance and recommendations.

Many thanks also to Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for their helpful assistance.

Declaration of Interest

This work was supported by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) offering a Post-Doc Scholarship to Dr. CHOUCHANI Chedly in Department of Medical Microbiology; School of Medicine; Cardiff University, United Kingdom.