Detection and Distribution of Class 1, 2 and 3 Integrons in Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii from Iraqi patien

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is a major difficulty in clinical settings since these integrons help bacterial populations to quickly acquire and spread resistance genes. Additionally, mutations in target locations and the overexpression of efflux pumps further aid the organism in resisting antibiotics. objective: The purpose of this work is to identify common gene integrons in human clinical isolates. Methodology: The isolation and identification of A. baumannii, biochemical tests, and the Vitek2 system confirm the diagnosis. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, genotyping also detects gene integron classes 1, 2, and 3. Results: The results revealed the presence of A. baumannii in 63 out of 200 isolates, accounting for 31.5% of the isolates from various clinical samples. Special isolates with integron-positive (46.67%) were found. Identified Int1 at 36.67%, Int II at 3.33%, and Int III at 8.33%. Furthermore, 1.67% have sheltered both Int I and Int II. In conclusion, the study revealed a notable prevalence of A. baumannii (31.5%) among clinical isolates, with 46.67% harboring integrons. Class 1 was the most frequent (36.67%), followed by Class 3 (8.33%) and Class 2 (3.33%), while 1.67% carried both Class 1 and Class 2. These findings highlight the significant role of integrons in the dissemination of resistance determinants among A. baumannii clinical isolates. One reason is integrons, which are mobile pieces of DNA that can gather resistance gene cassettes and create a resistant type in the bacteria they infect.