T4-like Escherichia coli phages from the environment carry blaCTX-M.

The CTX-M gene that confers resistance to Beta-lactam class of drugs is widespread and diverse. Understanding mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance transfer is a key to devise methods for controlling it. Few studies indicate that bacteriophages are involved in the transfer of this gene but the type of phages involved and the degree of involvement remains to be explored. Our work has been able to identify the class of phages and the magnitude of involvement in the dissemination of this gene.