High Prevalence of Class 1 to 3 Integrons Among Multidrug-Resistant Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in Southwest of Iran.
OBJECTIVE
Horizontal transfer of integrons is one of the important factors that can contribute to the occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of integrons among MDR Escherichia coli strains isolated from stool specimens and investigate the associations between the existence of integrons and MDR properties in the southwest of Iran.


METHODS
There were 164 E. coli strains isolated from January 2012 to June 2012. Fecal specimens identified as E. coli by the conventional methods. Subsequently the antibiotic resistance was assessed using Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute criteria. The presence of class 1-3 integrons and embedded gene cassettes was verified using specific primers by multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay.


RESULTS
Among a total of 164 studied samples, 69 (42.07%) isolates were multidrug resistant. Class 1 and class 2 integrons were present in 78.26% and 76.81% MDR isolates, respectively. For the first time in Iran, class 3 integron was observed in 26.09% MDR isolates. Significant correlations were identified between: class 1 integron and resistance to amikacin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, tetracycline, nalidixic acid, and co-trimoxazole; class 2 integron and resistance to aminoglycosides, co-trimoxazole, cefalexin, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol; and class 3 integron and resistance to gentamicin, kanamycin, and streptomycin.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that integrons are common among MDR isolates and they can be used as a marker for the identification of MDR isolates. Therefore, due to the possibility of a widespread outbreak of MDR isolates, molecular surveillance and sequencing of the integrons in other parts of the country is recommended.
Department of Microbiology, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran.
Mohammad
M
Kargar
Department of Microbiology, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran.
Zahra
Z
Mohammadalipour
Biotechnology Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran.
Abbas
A
Doosti
Biotechnology Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran.
Shahrokh
S
Lorzadeh
Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Disease, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Alireza
A
Japoni-Nejad
Iran; class 3 integron; diarrheagenic Escherichia coli; multidrug resistance