Determination of integron carriage in enterobacter and proteus strains that isolated from intensive care units

Gram negative bacteria are among the major pathogens that cause nosocomial infections, many of which are opportunistic and have multiple drug resistance. The aim of this study is determination of integron carriage in Enterobacter and Proteus isolates from various clinical specimens, especially in intensive care patients. The study included 73 Enterobacter isolates and 53 Proteus isolates, which have not undergone much research in our country. In the strains studied, the presence of class 1 and class 2 integron variable regions was investigated by PCR method. class 1 integron presence was shown as 30,14% in Enterobacter isolates and 39,62% in Proteus isolates. It was also found that 41,51 % of the Proteus isolates carried class 2 integron but none of the Enterobacter isolates had class 2 integron. Multiple drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae species are a major public health problem. The spread of such strains in the hospital environment will also increase the number of infections that are difficult to treat as a result. It is very important to carry out studies based on the characterization of integron detection and antibiotic resistance genes in order to determine the epidemic potential of integron-carrying strains, rapid treatment and selection of appropriate antibiotics.