Mechanism of integron-mediated drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of integron mediated resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii. Methods 200 strains were collected between January 2008 and December 2011 in Ruian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. All the strains were tested by K-B method for drug resistance. PCR and DNA sequencing were conducted to detect the integron. The gene structures of the intergrons were analyzed. Results 59. 0% of the strains were positive for class I integrons; no class Ⅱ and Ⅲ integrons were detected. The gene cassettes encoded genes with resistance to aminoglycosides,sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim and chloramphenicol. The strains positive for class I integrons were highly related to multidrug resistance. Conclusion Class I integrons are widespread in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates causing nosocomial infections. Drug resistance is more likely to horizontally transfer among various bacteria via class I integrons along with plasmids. It is of clinical significance to monitor horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistant genes among bacteria genuses.