The persistent exposure of bacterial strains to a multitude of beta-lactams has led to overproduction and mutation of Beta-lactamases. These -lactamases are capable of hydrolyzing penicillins, broad-spectrum cephalosporins, monobactams, cephamycins, carbapenems, in addition to other classes of antimicrobial agents. Thus, these new -lactamases are called as extended-spectrum- -lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC -lactamases and carbapenemases. In Iraq, little attention has been paid to the genetic factors controlling production of AmpC and carbapenemases by Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, there is an...