Prima segnalazione della presenza di integroni di classe 1 e 2 in E. coli isolati da tacchini da carne

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of class 1 and class 2 integrons in multi-drug resistant Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) isolated from diseased turkeys. Notoriously, class 1 and class 2 integrons play an important role in the selection of multidrug-resistant bacteria by facilitating the diffusion of antimicrobial resistance genes. Forty-eight multidrug-resistant strains were collected from commercial turkeys affected by colibacillosis and screened for the presence of integrons and associated gene cassettes. Eight isolates harbored class 1 integrons and 9 strains class 2 integrons. The gene cassettes combination most commonly found was dfrA1-aadA1 and dfrA1-sat2-aadA1 in class 1 and class 2 integrons, coding for aminoglycoside and trimethoprim resistance. One class 1 integron positive isolate carried a rare type of gene cassette arrangement (estX-aadA1). This study reports for the first time the presence of class 1 and 2 integrons in Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) isolates from commercial turkeys.