Molecular Detection of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance Genes (qnrA and aac(6′)-Ib-cr) in Drug Resistant Escherichia coli, Sudan
Mohamed Tageldin
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Adel Mergani Babier
National Cancer Institute, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Omer Abu Elhasan
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Mirghani Yousif
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Seitelbanat Yasin Ahemir
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Hajir Mohammed Hussien
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Sanaa Mohammed Yousif
National Blood Bank, Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan.
Salma Omer Ibrahim
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Hadeel Omer Mirgani
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Hind Elhaj Mohamed
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Tarig A Gamar
Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan.
Elhadi Abdalla Ahmed *
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The quinolone group, a synthetic antimicrobial, is widely used worldwide to treat many diseases, including those caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Escherichia coli and others are among the bacteria that produce quinolone resistance genes (qnr) such as qnrA and aac(6′)-Ib-cr.
Objective: The present study aimed to the isolate Escherichia coli from patients attending some Hospitals in Wad Medani city, identification of drug resistance patterns and detection of the frequency of quinolones resistance genes; qnrA and aac(6′)-Ib-cr among isolated strains.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive, hospital-based study included 119 Escherichia coli strains was conducted. A designed questionnaire used for demographic data collection and the attitude toward antimicrobials usage. Clinical specimens were processed for aerobic bacterial isolation and identification. Antimicrobial sensitivity performed by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique according to the CLSI guidelines. Presence of qnrA and aac(6′)-Ib-cr genes was assessed by multiplex PCR.
Results: Most strains of Escherichia coli originated from urine 53.8% (64/119) and wounds 42.9% (51/119) specimens. Meropenem had the best effect against tested strains with susceptibility of 85% (101/119). Multiplex PCR assay, using specific primers, demonstrated that 41.2% (49/119) and 37.8% (45/119) of isolated Escherichia coli possessed qnrA and aac(6′)-Ib-cr genes respectively.
Conclusion: The high rate of qnrA and aac (6)-Ib-cr genes among Escherichia coli necessitate the usage of molecular tools in detecting the genetic determinants of drug resistance microorganisms in countries such as Sudan.
Keywords: Escherichia coli, quinolone resistanc, qnrA, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, multiplex-PCR, Sudan