Barw Barw Medical Journal 2960-1959 2024 11 20 Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of the blaTEM Gene in Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae 10.58742/bmj.v2i4.139 eng Marwan Arkan Ghafoor School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. marwan.ghafoor@gmail.com Kasya Aswad Othman College of Health Sciences, Hawler Medical University, 100M. Street, Erbil, Iraq. kasya.othman@gmail.com Lanja Jalal Mahmood College of Health Sciences, Hawler Medical University, 100M. Street, Erbil, Iraq. lanja.mahmood@gmail.com Laali Khan Hamad Jabbar College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, 100M. Street, Erbil, Iraq. laali.jabbar@gmail.com Kashma Aswad Othman Medical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science and Health, Koya University, Koya, Iraq. kashma.othman@gmail.com Khalid Wali Mustafa School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. khalid.mustafa@gmail.com Sanaa Yaseen Issa Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Main Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. sanaa.issa@gmail.com Banan Muayad Ihsan School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. banan.ihsan@gmail.com Hiwa O. Abdullah Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. hiewaom96@gmail.com 2024 10 15 Introduction There has been a notable rise in antibiotic resistance among enterobacteria. This issue is primarily attributed to the emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), which present a significant concern for public health worldwide. This study investigates the prevalence of ESBL production, antibiotic resistance profiles, and molecular identification of the blaTEM gene in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. Methods The samples were randomly collected from several medical facilities in Erbil city. The VITEK 2 system was used for bacterial identification, antibiotic susceptibility, and ESBL production testing. The Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) confirmed ESBL production. Polymerase chain reaction was conducted on all DNA samples, and the amplified DNA was analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis to detect the blaTEM gene. Results A total of 43 samples were collected, of which the majority were urine (56%), followed by sputum (28%), blood (9%), and wound (7%). Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates exhibited the highest prevalence of resistance against ceftazidime (72%), ceftriaxone (70%), ciprofloxacin (63%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (60%), amikacin (58%), cefotaxime/tazobactam (56%), and gentamicin (53%). The DDST results indicated positive ESBL production in 15 isolates (35%), as evidenced by an increase or distortion in the inhibition zone toward the amoxicillin-clavulanate disc. Of the 43 isolates, 34 (79%) carried the blaTEM gene. Conclusion The study area shows a significant level of antibiotic resistance in ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, which, if not adequately addressed, could soon lead to severe health and therapeutic consequences.