Frequency of Class ۱ and ۲ Integrons in Escherichia Coli Strains Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESIntegrons are movable genetic components that help bacteria transmit and distribute antibiotic resistance genes. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of class ۱ and ۲ integrons in E. coli strains isolated from urinary tract infections (UTIs) in northern Iran.MATERIALS AND METHODSOne hundred fifty-three clinical isolates of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) were collected from UTI patients. Cultures and biochemical assays were used to identify these strains. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify integrons using oligonucleotide primers specific for class ۱ and ۲ integrons.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Analysis of PCR results for the presence of class ۱ and ۲ integrons showed that ۴۹.۶۷% of the isolates had class ۱ integron, while class ۲ integron was observed in ۲۷.۴۵% of the strains. It was also found that ۱۴.۳۷% strains were found to carry both class ۱ and class ۲ integrons.CONCLUSIONEscherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infection patients in northern Iran included class ۱ and ۲ integrons, which can be a public health concern since they can contribute to the transmission and maintenance of antibiotic resistance among the bacterial population in the region. It must be continually checked.

کلیدواژه ها:

Class ۱ and ۲ Integrons ، Escherichia coli strains ، Urinary tract infections ، PCR