Prevalence of efflux genes and chromosomal protection protein genes among tetracycline resistant Aeromonas spp. isolated from diarrheic patients in Iraq

Abstract EN

The study aim to investigate the prevalence of tetracycline resistant Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from clinical sources in Hilla city - Iraq, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.

A total of 822 samples were collected from fecal specimens from patients.

Samples were collected from rectal swab (routine work) and from those who suffering from diarrhea.

Isolates were identified using cultural and biochemical tests to the level of species and then identification was confirmed using viteks 2 system and molecular technique using 16S rRNA specific primer.

PCR was used to detect tetracycline resistance isolates.

Out of 822 clinical samples collected, 13 isolates (1.58%) were belonged to Aeromonas spp.

However, other bacterial isolates belonged to other genera similar to Aeromonas were also recovered.

Out of 13 Aeromonas spp., eight A.

hydrophila isolates (61.53%) were obtained, while the other isolates were distributed as: four isolates of A.

salmoncidia (30.76%), and one of A.

sobria.

Isolation and detection of A.

salmoncidia species was first recorded in Iraq.

Results found that all tetracycline-resistant isolates carried at least one of the tet genes examined.

Among efflux genes, tet(A) was the most commonly observed in isolates (No.8), found in 6 isolates (75%), followed by Efflux tet gene (tet B,C) (62.5%) and chromosomal protection protein (tetO) 5 (62.5%).

Tet (E) efflux gene was found in two isolates (25%).

Efflux pump (tetL) and chromosomal protect gene tet (M) was detected in one isolates (12.5%).

However efflux genes tet (D and G) were not detected in any of the isolates.

The prevalence of tet O chromosomal protection protein among A.

hydrophila isolates was first recorded in Iraq and in many other countries.