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Class 1 integrons in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from clinical isolates

Kanchana Poonsuk1, Chanwit Tribuddharat, Rungtip Chuanchuen

  • 1Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
|October 23, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Class 1 integrons are prevalent in multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii infections. These mobile genetic elements carry various gene cassettes, contributing to antimicrobial resistance in clinical isolates.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii poses a significant clinical challenge.
  • Integrons are key mobile genetic elements mediating the acquisition and spread of antibiotic resistance genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of class 1, 2, and 3 integrons in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii.
  • To assess the horizontal transfer of integrons within these bacterial populations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 101 P. aeruginosa and 176 A. baumannii isolates.
  • Detection and characterization of class 1, 2, and 3 integrons and their associated gene cassettes.
  • Assessment of horizontal integron transfer.

Main Results:

  • Class 1 integrons were found in 69.3% of P. aeruginosa and 31.8% of A. baumannii isolates; class 2 and 3 integrons were absent.
  • Five novel gene cassette arrays were identified in P. aeruginosa.
  • Horizontal transfer of class 1 integrons was observed in both species.

Conclusions:

  • Class 1 integrons are highly prevalent in multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii clinical isolates.
  • The diversity of gene cassettes within class 1 integrons contributes to the antimicrobial resistance.
  • Integrons play a significant role in the dissemination of resistance mechanisms in these important pathogens.

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