Molecular Detection of Integrons I and II in Some Clinical Isolates from Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Nigeria

Aim: This study aimed at detecting the integron-integrase I and II gene in Gram negative bacteria.

Study Design: Cross-sectional and descriptive study design were utilized in this study.

Place and Duration of Study: Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri and Niger Delta University Molecular Laboratory CHS, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, between February 2023 and April 2023.

Methodology: This study was specifically carried out on clinical isolates with a population figure obtained from 6 different samples collected from Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, okolobiri in Bayelsa state. Of 500 different clinical samples, 100 clinical isolates were isolated and identified using Standard Bacteriological methods. Genomic DNA was extracted by boiling method. The Integrons I and II genes were detected using Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Results: Of the 100 isolates used for molecular analysis, the Int I1 gene was detected in 54 isolates of which 8(44.4%) were Escherichia coli,14(63.63%) were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 14(70%) were Klebsiella oxytoca. IntI2 gene was detected in 78 isolates of which16(88.88%) were Escherichia coli,20(90.90%) was Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 10(50%) were Klebsiella oxytoca. IntI1 and IntI2 genes were detected in 38 isolates of which9(50%) were Escherichia coli,12(54.54%) was Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 6(30%) were Klebsiella oxytoca.

Conclusion: This study showed that there was a high prevalence of class I and II integrons in multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, therefore justifying the extent of resistance observed.