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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Screening Foodstuffs for Class 1 Integrons and Gene Cassettes
Published on: June 19, 2015
Simultaneous PCR detection of multiple classes of integron integrase genes for determining the presence of
1Environmental Engineering and Bioengineering Group, Kajima Technical Research Institute, Tobitakyu 2-19-1, Chofu, Tokyo 182-0036, Japan. ishikaws@kajima.com
Abstract:
Dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly in hospitals, has become a serious public health problem. Integrons impart antibiotic multidrug resistance in gram-negative and some gram-positive bacteria by capturing and then disseminating antibiotic resistance genes. This mechanism plays a major role in contributing to the alarmingly high prevalence of bacterial drug resistance. A universal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer set was attempted to design to more sensitively and specifically detect integrons in environmental samples. One set, designated intCiF3(a), intCiF3(b), intCiiiR3(a), and intCiiiR3(b), simultaneously amplifies the conserved region of the tyrosine recombinase gene family between box I and box II. This primer set generates PCR products derived from classes 1, 2, and 3 integron integrases from environmental samples such as wastewater. An unexpected finding of this study was the detection of new putative integron integrase gene sequences. This is the subject of ongoing research, which aims to provide a clear understanding of the risk to human health posed by these genetic elements.
Insights
New PCR primers detect integrons, key drivers of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. This research identifies novel integron sequences, crucial for understanding public health risks from drug-resistant microbes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a significant global health threat, particularly in healthcare settings.
- Integrons facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in bacteria, contributing to high prevalence rates.
- Effective detection of integrons is crucial for monitoring and controlling the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer set for detecting integrons in environmental samples.
- To investigate the prevalence of known integron classes (1, 2, and 3) in wastewater.
- To identify novel integron integrase gene sequences.
Main Methods:
- Design and validation of a universal PCR primer set (intCiF3(a), intCiF3(b), intCiiiR3(a), and intCiiiR3(b)).
- Amplification of the conserved tyrosine recombinase gene region between box I and box II.
- Application of the primer set to environmental samples, including wastewater.
Main Results:
- The designed primer set successfully amplified conserved regions of integron integrase genes from classes 1, 2, and 3 in environmental samples.
- Detection of previously unidentified putative integron integrase gene sequences was achieved.
- The primers demonstrated sensitivity and specificity for integron detection.
Conclusions:
- The developed PCR method provides a sensitive tool for detecting diverse integrons in environmental matrices.
- The discovery of new integron sequences highlights the ongoing evolution of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
- Further research is needed to assess the public health implications of these novel genetic elements.
