Detection of Integrons in Gram Positive and Non Fermentative Gram Negative Isolates from Intensive Care Unit of Zagazig University Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Integrons are mobile genetic elements considered to play a role in transmission of antibiotic resistance genes with limited studies concerning this issue. Objectives of this study: were first to detect the prevalence of integrons in Gram positive and non fermentative Gram negative isolates from Intensive Care Unit of Zagazig University Hospitals and to investigate the association between integrons carriage and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates. Methodology: Culture, API identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were done to all isolates. PCR using primers for integrons Class I, II and III followed by RFLP using RsaI enzyme was applied to all Gram-positive and non-fermentative Gram-negative isolates. Results: Out of '83 clinical samples: 40 non fermentative Gram negative and 33 Gram positive bacteria were detected. The most predominant isolates of both groups were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (62.5%) and Staph aureus (69.7%) respectively. A high statistical significant difference regarding association between amikacin, spectinomycin and ciprofloxacin resistance, and integron existence was found in P.aeruginosa. Meanwhile, ceftazidime, aztreonam, cefotaxime, tetracycline, piperacillin and Sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim resistance were high significantly associated with integron existance in isolated A. baumannii. Conclusion: A high statistically significant difference exists between integrons carriage and multidrug resistant pathogens