Association of Genes and OqxAB Efflux Pump in Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Strains.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and relationship between plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes and OqxAB pump genes, as well as the genetic linkage in strains isolated from Hamadan hospitals in the west of Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 100 clinical strains were isolated from clinical samples of inpatients at Hamadan Hospital in 2021. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method. The frequencies of genes encoding OqxAB efflux pumps and were investigated by PCR. Molecular typing of -positive isolates was assessed by ERIC-PCR.

RESULTS

Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed high resistance (>80%) to fluoroquinolones. The gene encoding the OqxAB efflux pump was detected in more than 90% of strains. All isolates were negative for A, and 20% and 9% of the isolates were positive for B and S, respectively. The genes encoding A and B were detected in 96% of -positive strains. A B + /S + profile was observed in 16% of -positive strains. Ciprofloxacin MIC ≥ 256 g/ml was detected in 20% of -positive strains. Genetic association analysis by ERIC-PCR revealed genetic diversity among 25 different -positive strains of .

CONCLUSION

However, no significant correlation was found between the and the OqxAB efflux pump genes in this study. The high rate of fluoroquinolone resistance and determinants of antibiotic resistance among diverse strains increase the risk of fluoroquinolone-resistance transmission by strains in hospitals.