Determination Antimicrobial Resistance Profile and Prevalence of Class 1 and 2 Integron Resistance Gene Cassettes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains Isolated from Hospitalized Patients in Markazi Province, Iran

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is recognized as a serious opportunistic pathogen that causes infections in hospitalized patients and shows a high level of antibiotic resistance.

The current study aimed at investigating the frequency of class 1, 2 integrons in P. aeruginosa strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Markazi Province, Iran.

Totally, 100 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected and identified using standard biochemical tests P. aeruginosa. Antibiotic sensitivity test was performed using disk-diffusion (Bauer-Kirby) method. DNA was extracted, then polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for the detection of class 1 and 2 integrons.

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (76%) and cefotaxime (45%) were the most effective antimicrobial agents in this study. Also, PCR results showed that 95% of P. aeruginosa strains carried int1, but none of the isolates harbored the int2 genes. A significant correlation was observed between class 1 integrons and resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and cefotaxime (P < 0.005).

The current study recognized a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance also a high presence of class 1 integron. Since integron-carrying elements are responsible for the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes introduced into the hospital is of concern; thus applying comprehensive strategies for prevention and control of infections is necessary.