Study on integron mediated multidrug-resistance in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella

Objective To study the integron mediated multidrug-resistance in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella.Methods The class Ⅰ and Ⅱ integrase genes were screened by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) in clinical isolates of 135 strains of Escherichia coli and 59 strains of Klebsiella spp.Results Among 135 strains of Escherichia coli and 59 strains of Klebsiella spp,50.4% Escherichia coli and 37.3% Klebsiella produced extended-spectrum β-lactamases(ESBLs).The class Ⅰ integrase genes were detected in 105 isolates including 72 strains of Escherichia coli and 33 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and the class Ⅱ integrase genes were detected in 3 strains of Escherichia coli which carried simultaneously the class Ⅰ integrase genes and ESBLs genes.Conclusions Class Ⅰ integrase genes are widespread in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella.Integrons mediate the multidrug-resistance of the two species.Integron positive strains are easier than integron negative strains in producing resistance.