Occurrence of class 1, 2, and 3 integrons among multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Babylon Province, Iraq

Background: Clinical management of bacterial infections has faced significant difficulties in recent years due to the advent and spread of multiple drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Worldwide, nosocomial infections are brought on by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a clinically significant Pseudomonas species. Objectives: This research aimed to identify class 1, 2, and 3 integrons in P. aeruginosa in Babylon, Iraq. Materials and Methods: From February 2022 to October 2022, 131 isolates from various sites including (burn, wound, and urine) were collected from different hospitals in Babylon Province for both genders and ages. These isolates were identified using traditional techniques as well as the Vitek 2 system (bioMerieux, France). Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were subjected to disc diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Class 1, 2, and 3 integron-specific primers were used in the polymerase chain reaction technique for the molecular identification of integron genes. Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates that were 131 (100%) had integron class 1. On the contrary, only five (3.81%) contained a class 2 integron. There was no presence of class 3 integron in any isolate. Conclusion: The MDR P. aeruginosa was highly prevalent (100%) and this suggested that the availability of class 1 integrons in our area was alarmingly high, showing the need for epidemiological monitoring.