Antibiotic Resistance and Integron Prevalence among Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial in Bangladesh. Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

Abstract

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains are widespread in hospitals and intensive care units. This poses a serious threat to human health as the effectiveness of many antibiotics has been diminished by the emergence of resistant strains. The overuse of β-lactam antibiotics has led to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) producing strains. However, ESBL screening is not commonly performed in Bangladesh, despite the growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Multidrug-resistant strains, particularly those carrying the Integron integrase 1 gene is responsible for antibiotic resistance. Horizontal integron transfer is one of the key factors that can contribute to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria.  In this study, antibiotic sensitivity tests were conducted using 25 antibiotics. It was found that E. coli and Klebsiella both showed resistance to Aztreonam, Ampicillin/Sulbactam, Amoxyclav, Cefepime, Cefepime/Tazobactam, Ampicillin and Cefotaxime antibiotics. Our findings suggest that integron is common among MDR isolates and that they can be used to identify MDR isolates. As a result of the possibility of a widespread outbreak of MDR isolates, molecular surveillance and integron sequencing in other parts of the country is advised. The purpose of this study is innovation to create new antibiotics and alternative treatments to address antibiotic-resistant bacteria.