Molecular characterization of nosocomial CTX-M type -lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae from a tertiary care hospital in south India

CTX-M group of extended spectrum β lactamases (ESBLs) represents a rapidly emerging problem in many countries. The prevalence of nosocomial blaCTX-M-1 producing Enterobacteriaceae strains has not been reported earlier in Indian hospitals. This study describes molecular subtyping of nosocomial blaCTX-M producing strains of Enterobacteriaceae. Polymerase chain reaction with primers specific for blaCTX-M-1 coding genes was used to identify 95 Enterobacteriaceae strains producing bla CTX-M positive isolates. Of the 95 blaCTX-M producing isolates, 45 strains were positive for blaCTX-M-1. bla CTX-M-1 was found to be most prevalent in Klebsiella strains.