Class 1 Integrons, Genetic Factor for the Dissemination of Tetracycline and Chloramphenicol Resistance Genes in Escherichia coli isolated from Children with Diarrhea in Rural Burkina Faso

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Résumé

Antimicrobial resistance has been declared a global threat to public health, as a massive increase in this problem has been observed worldwide. This study aims to investigate the role of class I integrons (Int1) in the dissemination of tetracycline and chloramphenicol resistance genes in Escherichia coli in rural Burkina Faso. A study was conducted to screen for E. coli species from 275 stool samples collected from under five age children suffering from diarrhea, in rural area of Burkina Faso. The antimicrobial resistance determinants were investigated by Polymerase Chain Reaction, checking the presence of class 1, 2, 3 integrons, tet and catA1 resistance genes. Class 1 integrons were reported in all the five (5/5) E. coli isolates. One tetracycline resistant (Tetr) strain (20%) possessed the tet gene and two strains harbored the catA1 gene. There was a coexistence between the tet and catA1 genes and class 1 integrons in one atypical EPEC. Class 1 integrons have been playing an important role in the development of multidrug resistance in E. coli pathovars. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which antimicrobial resistance emerges and spreads should enable us to design intervention strategies to reduce its progression.

Mots-clés

Antibiotic Resistance Genes; Class 1 Integrons; E. coli; Diarrhea; Children