Introduction: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and molecular characterization of uropathogenic Extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing Escherichia coli. Methodology: During 3 years, all hospitalized patients at the University-affiliated hospital of Tlemcen and presenting urinary tract infections caused by E. coli were considered as potential study participants. These E. coli isolates were examined phenotypically for ESBL production. ESBL strains were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and were investigated for the presence of plasmid mediated quinolone resistance genes, 16SrRNA methylase genes and virulence genes by using conventional PCR and DNA sequencing. The molecular characterization of ESBL strains was established by phylogenetic grouping method and ERIC-PCR. Results: The overall prevalence of ESBL was 32.5%. The blaCTX-M-15 was the most frequently detected in ESBL isolates, followed by blaCTX-M-14, blaCTX-M-28, blaCTX-M-1 and blaSHV-12 respectively. The plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes were detected in the 15 ESBL strains with the aac(6’)-Ib-cr gene was the most detected followed by qnrB1 and qnrA1 gene respectively. Among the 22 ESBL isolates resistant to gentamicin and amikacin, the 16SrRNA methylase genes were detected in 4 isolates. The sfa and pap virulent genes were founds in 26% and 22% of isolates receptively. The genotyping analysis of all strains revealed that almost were belonged to phylogenetic groups A1 and A0 and fourteen distinct clones. Conclusion: The emergence of uropathogenic ESBL isolates and the high rate of blaCTX-M are alarming in Algeria. Strict measure must be required to control the further spread of these strains in Algerian hospitals.

Community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a significant public health issue, primarily due to the increasing antibiotic resistance among uropathogens. This study assesses the resistance status of uropathogenic community Enterobacterales to various antibiotics, particularly aminoglycosides, and determines the prevalence of aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme (AME) genes, while investigating the coexistence of 16S rRNA methylating enzymes. We analyzed 628 clinical isolates of Enterobacterales obtained from 4282 cytobacteriological urine examinations at the Pasteur Institute Casablanca, Morocco, collected from October 2018 to December 2021. Identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were conducted using the VITEK 2^® COMPACT system, following CA-SFM guidelines. DNA extraction utilized the heat shock method, and subsequent PCR was performed. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 85% of isolates, with Enterobacterales representing 91% of this group. E. coli (73%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (20%) were the most common species among Enterobacterales. Resistance was particularly high for ampicillin (76.7%) and amoxicillin-clavulanate (58%). Among aminoglycosides, gentamicin and tobramycin resistance rates were 33.5% and 35%, respectively, while amikacin resistance was observed in 21.3% of isolates. High frequencies of AME genes were detected, with AAC(3′)-IIa (27.7%) and AAC(6′)-Ib (25.9%) being the most prevalent. Notably, no 16S rRNA methylation genes (rmtA, rmtB, rmtC, rmtD) were found. All tested strains exhibited biofilm-forming capacity, with K. pneumoniae demonstrating intense biofilm production. The study highlights a concerning trend of antibiotic resistance among uropathogenic Enterobacterales in the community setting, correlating genotype with resistance phenotype and emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted treatment strategies.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen increasingly associated with multidrug resistance (MDR) and therapeutic failure. Data on MDR community-associated P. aeruginosa in southern Morocco remain limited. This study evaluated the contribution of urban diagnostic laboratories to the surveillance of MDR P. aeruginosa in this underrepresented region. A retrospective multicenter study was conducted between January and December 2024 using data collected from urban medical diagnostic laboratories in southern Morocco. Clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa recovered from community-associated patients were identified using standard microbiological methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to EUCAST guidelines. MDR was defined as non-susceptibility to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial classes according to the international criteria. Associations between MDR status and demographic variables were assessed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Among the 49 P. aeruginosa isolates included, 29 (59.2%, 95% CI: 45.4–72.0%) were classified as MDR. High resistance rates were observed for several β-lactams, whereas most isolates remained susceptible to amikacin and selected β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations. No statistically significant association was found between MDR status and demographic variables. These findings highlight the circulation of MDR P. aeruginosa in southern Morocco and suggest that urban diagnostic laboratories may provide valuable complementary data for community-level antimicrobial resistance surveillance.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB) are a growing public health threat, particularly in h