Class 1, 2 and 3 integrons in clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from Tanta University Hospitals, Egypt.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become a significant health threat, as it has developed resistance to multiple antimicrobial drugs. In this study, we aimed to identify class 1, 2 and 3 integrons in clinical P. aeruginosa isolates for the first time in Egypt, and detect their relationship with antibiotic resistance. A total of 192 clinical P. aeruginosa isolates were gathered from Tanta University Hospitals. One hundred and thirteen isolates (58.9%) were multidrug- resistant, and 38 isolates (19.8%) were resistant to all drugs tested. Class 1 integrons were detected in 87 isolates (45.3%), while class 2 and 3 integrons were not detected. This is the first report of a profile of integrons in P. aeruginosa from Egypt. The detection of only class 1 integrons in our isolates suggests that other genetic elements may be responsible for the distribution of antibiotic resistance in our setting. Aztreonam and colistin were the drugs of choice for the treatment of infections with P. aeruginosa.