Narges Tonekabony - Department of Biology, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran
Rabeeh Izadi Amoli - Department of Biology, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran
Alamara Gholami - Department of Biology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
Roghayeh Oskoueiyan - Department of Biology, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran

Abattoir wastewater is a major source of pollution burden and life-treating human pathogenic bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL) producing E. coli isolates and their antibiotic resistances in wastewater samples. In this experimental study, abattoir wastewater samples were collected and identified from ۳۲ different regions in Mazandaran Province, North Iran. Disk agar diffusion test was applied for testing antibiotic resistance. Phenotypic detection of ESBL-producing isolates was performed using combined disk method. The presence of blaSHV gene was investigated using PCR method. The prevalence of E. coli in wastewater samples was ۱۰%. The ESBL test analysis was positive for ۱۴ (۹۳.۳۳%) isolates. The prevalence of blaSHV gene in ESBL-producing E. coli isolates was ۹۳.۳۴%. The highest antibiotic resistances in ESBL-producing E. coli were found concerning to ceftizoxime and gentamicin (۱۰۰%), nalidixic acid, ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin (۹۳.۳۴%). Nitrofurantoin was the most effective antibiotic against E. coli isolate exhibiting the highest sensitivity (۷۳.۳۴%). In conclusion, the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli is high and being increased. The high prevalence of blaSHV gene in these isolates may be a reason for their pathogenesis and ability in transferring the resistance genes to multiple antibiotics. Therefore, there is a need to develop appropriate treatment and safer disposing abattoir wastes in this province.

Escherichia coli, blaSHV gene, abattoir water, Antibiotic Resistance