An Updated Review of Interleukin-2 Therapy in Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a cytokine that acts in dual and paradoxical ways in the immunotherapy of cancers and autoimmune diseases. Numerous clinical trial studies have shown that the use of different doses of this cytokine in various autoimmune diseases, transplantations, and cancers has resulted in therapeutic success. However, side effects of varying severity have been observed in patients. In recent years, to prevent these side effects, IL-2 has been engineered to bind more specifically to its receptors on the cell surface, decreasing IL-2 toxicities in patients. In this review article, we focus on some recent clinical trial studies and analyze them to determine the appropriate dose of IL-2 drug with the least toxicities. In addition, we discuss the engineering performed on IL-2, which shows that engineered IL-2 increases the specificity function of IL-2 and decreases its adverse effects.

Potential genetic polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in Iranian migraine patients with Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes neuroinflammation in the brain and a constant need for peripheral leukocyte migration. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) can play a major role in this neuroinflammation and be implicated in some neurological disorders, such as migraines. Therefore, the genetic polymorphism evaluation of MMP-9 in migraine patients with T. gondii infection was performed. One hundred fourteen migraine patients and 114 healthy controls were evaluated for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies. Seventy-two migraine patients and 40 healthy controls were randomly selected for assessment of the MMP 9-1562C/T genetic polymorphism. In the preliminary examination, 61 (53.5%) migraine patients and 43 (37.3%) healthy controls were positive for IgG antibodies, with a significant association between T. gondii seropositivity and migraine (OR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.21-3.223; P = 0.012). Genetic distribution for the polymorphism was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in cases but showed no significant variation in control groups (P = 0.03 and P = 0.180, respectively). A significant preponderance of the CT + TT genotype was found in migraine subjects compared to controls (P = 0.042) (OR, 1.77, CI, 1.013-2.229). The homozygote muted allele TT had a higher rate in migraine patients (6.9%). There were significant differences in CT + TT genotype between T. gondii positive and negative migraine patients (P = 0.024), but T allele frequencies had no significant variation (OR 1.7 CI, 1.084-2.44 and 0.42 CI, 0.044-3.97, respectively). In conclusion, the results may provide the first evidence for the involvement of the MMP-9 gene polymorphism in the mechanism of migraine pathology following Toxoplasma infection.

Expression Assessment of the Helicobacter pyloribabA and sabA Genes in Patients with Peptic Ulcer, Duodenal Ulcer and Gastric Cancer.

Helicobacter pylori as a common gastrointestinal (GI) pathogen must possess certain virulence characteristics to colonize the stomach, evade host immune responses, and subsequently induce GI diseases. This research aimed to investigate the expression level of two important genes, the sialic acid-binding adherence (SabA) and the blood group antigen-binding adhesion (BabA) in H. pylori strains isolated from adult patients living in the northern part of Iran, and their association with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastric cancer (GC). This cross-sectional study was carried out on adult patients referring to the GI clinic of the hospitals affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran. New cases diagnosed with gastritis, peptic ulcer or gastric cancer were included. Endoscopic-guided gastric biopsies were examined and H. pylori positive colonies were analyzed to determine the expression of babA and sabA genes, utilizing specific primers and the SYBR Green dye. Among 175 patients with mean age of 51.6±15.6 years, 101 (57.7%) of the individuals tested positive for H. pylori infection. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between sabA (P=0.003) and babA (P=0.002) gene expression and development of PUD and GC. Smoking (P=0.052), gender (P=0.004) and positive babA gene expression (P=0.009) had the greatest association with occurrence of PUD or GC in H. pylori positive patients.  In summary, the presence of the sabA gene in people infected with H. pylori increased the risk of GC compared to gastritis, while, the presence of the babA gene was significantly increased in gastric ulcer patients. Considering the diversity of H. pylori isolates and the varying results observed in different geographical regions, further comprehensive studies are required to evaluate the function of these genes in H. pylori pathogenesis and their relationship with clinical outcomes.

NiFe2O4/ZnO-coated Poly(L-Lactide) nanofibrous scaffold enhances osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: A combination of bioceramics and polymeric materials has attracted the research community's interest in bone tissue engineering. These composites are essential to support cell attachment, proliferation, and osteogenesis differentiation, which are vital as a classic strategy in bone tissue engineering. In this study, NiFe2O4/ZnO-coated poly L-Lactide (PLLA) was employed as a scaffold to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation capability of human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). Material and methods: The electrospun PLLA nanofibers were fabricated, coated with nanocomposite (NiFe2O4/ZnO), and evaluated by the water contact angle (WCA), tensile test, attenuated total reflectance fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then, the osteogenic differentiation potential of hAMSCs was assessed using NiFe2O4/ZnO-coated PLLA compared to tissue culture plastic (TCP) and a simple scaffold (PLLA) in vitro conditions. Results: The adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of hAMSCs were supported by the mechanical and biological properties of the NiFe2O4/ZnO-coated PLLA scaffold, according to SEM and 4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining patterns. During bone differentiation, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity, biomineralization, calcium content, and osteogenic gene expression (ALP, Osteonectin, Osteocalcin, Collagen type I, and Runx2) were higher on NiFe2O4/ZnO-coated PLLA scaffold than on PLLA scaffold and TCP. Conclusion: Based on our results, the osteogenic differentiation of hAMSCs on the improved biological scaffold (PLLA coated with NiFe2O4/ZnO) could accelerate due to the stimulating effect of this nanocomposite.

Integron and its role in antimicrobial resistance: A literature review on some bacterial pathogens.

In recent years, different acquired resistance mechanisms, including transposons, bacteriophages, plasmids, and integrons have been identified as involved in the spread of resistance genes in bacteria. The role of integrons as mobile genetic elements playing a central role in antibiotic resistance has been well studied and documented. Integrons are the ancient structures that mediate the evolution of bacteria by acquiring, storing, disposing, and resorting to the reading frameworks in gene cassettes. The term integron describes a large family of genetic elements, all of which are able to capture gene cassettes. Integrons were classified into three important classes based on integrase intI gene sequence. Integrons can carry and spread the antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria and are among the most significant routes of distribution of resistance genes via horizontal transfer. All integrons have three essential core features. The first feature is intI, the second one is an integron-associated recombination site, attI, and an integron-associated promoter, Pc, is the last feature. Among them, the class 1 integron is a major player in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes across pathogens and commensals. Various classes of integrons possessing a wide variety of gene cassettes are distributed in bacteria throughout the world. This review thus focuses on the distribution of integrons among important bacteria.

Class I integrons among multidrug resistant Enterobacter spp. isolates from hospitalized patients in Babol, North of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistance (MDR) in Enterobacter spp. has created therapeutic challenges all over the world. The present study was conducted for evaluating the prevalence of class I integron, determining the gene cassettes and antimicrobial resistance profile of Enterobacter spp. isolates from clinical samples in Babol, North of Iran. METHODS: During a 13-month period, 30 Enterobacter spp. isolates were collected from Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital, Babol, Iran. Various types of antimicrobial agents were used to determine the resistance pattern. Class I integron and associated gene cassettes were detected by PCR assay. RESULTS: The resistance rates to AP, CPM, CTX, TM, NI, IMI, AK, CIP and GM antimicrobials were 100%, 93.3%, 33.3%, 33.3%, 30%, 20%, 20%, 20% and 13.3%, respectively. The distribution results of int genes showed that 63.3% of isolates carried the intI genes. Also, the prevalence of aadB, dfrA1, bla OXA30 and bla PSE1 genes were estimated at 36.6%%, 33.3%, 6.6% and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that class I integrons have a widespread distribution among the Enterobacter spp. isolates and have clinical relevance to MDR isolates. The results confirmed the necessity for uninterrupted monitoring to prevent distribution of multidrug resistance among Enterobacter spp. strains in Iran.

Comparison of loop-mediated isothermal amplification and conventional PCR tests for diagnosis of common Brucella species.

OBJECTIVE: Rapid, reliable, and affordable detection of Brucella species via the molecular methods remains a challenge. In recent years, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a functional nucleic acid amplification technique offering a substitute to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). So, we compared the LAMP assay with the conventional PCR for the identification of common Brucella species in Iran. In this study, LAMP assay was comprehensively evaluated against the common PCR method. A group of specific LAMP primers were used to amplify a highly specific fragment from the sequence of the Brucella abortus, bcsp31 gene. Sensitivity and specificity values of tests were done with a set of 78 (50 Brucella and 28 non-Brucella) strains. RESULTS: A dilution series of B. abortus DNA indicated that the LAMP reaction could reliably detect 10 (fg/µl) DNA target copies per reaction within 36 min, which is 10 times greater than the PCR assay. In summary, we conclude that LAMP assay provide accurate and fast test results to identify of common Brucella species in low-complexity labs, mainly in low and lower middle income countries.

The Antihelminthic Drug, Mebendazole, Induces Apoptosis in Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma Cancer Cells: In-Vitro Trial.

Background: Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a poor prognostic Hematopoietic malignancy with various therapeutic challenges, which had been classified as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The Drug switching, as a novel, innovative and promising approach, is an opportunity to overcoming on therapeutic challenges of hard-treating disease, e.g. ATLL. Our aim is evaluating the antiproliferative and apoptotic effect of Mebendazole (MBZ) on ATLL cancer cells in in-vitro conditions. Materials and Methods: We used Jurkat cell-line as ATLL cancer cells. After treatment of MBZ in different concentrations on jurkat cells, the cell viabilities were determined by MTT assay. After IC50 value determination, the 24-, 48- and 72-h treatments had been performed in IC50 concentration and control to evaluating the quantitative apoptosis rate by Annexin/PI Flowcytometry and qualitative apoptosis by DAPI Nuclear staining. Also, Glucose spectrophotometry were performed to evaluate the reduced amount of glucose uptake through MBZ treatment. Results: MBZ inhibits proliferation of jurkat cells and IC50 value had been estimated 10 µM (P< 0.01). According to the flowcytometric results, increasing in drug concentration is associated with decrease cell viability and the percentage of full-apoptosis. However, it inversely correlates with percentage of early-apoptosis rate. Also, the microscopic captures of DAPI Nuclear staining confirms the flowcytometry results in qualitative manner. In addition, it was found that inhibition of glucose uptake was inversely correlated with increased MBZ concentration (P< 0.05). Conclusion: MBZ potentially inhibits the proliferation of ATLL cancer cells in in-vitro condition. MBZ inhibits the growth of Jurkat cells by inducing apoptosis. Also, we suggest that indirectly inhibition of Glucose transporting occurs by MBZ, which could induce apoptosis in cancer cells.

Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection by toxigenic culture and PCR assay.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clostridium difficile is responsible for 15-25% of nosocomial antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) cases and all cases of pseudomembranous colitis. C. difficile has two major virulence factors, toxin A (enterotoxin) and toxin B (cytotoxin). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of C. difficile strains in patients with diarrhea in Babol' hospitals with toxigenic culture and PCR assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred stool specimens were taken from diarrheal patients in hospitals of the city of Babol. All patients had a history of antibiotic use. The samples were cultured on CCFA medium. In the next stage, toxigenic culture was performed for isolated C. difficile strains. Then, PCR assay was used to identify gdh, tcdA and tcdB genes among isolated C. difficile strains. RESULTS: From the 100 stool samples, eight (8%) samples were positive in C. difficile culture. In toxigenic culture, two (2%) of these strains had cytopathic effects on Vero cells. All eight strains had the gdh gene. This gene is specific for C. difficile. Two strains that had cytopathic effects on toxigenic culture were positive for toxin genes. CONCLUSION: The frequency of toxigenic strains in different parts of the world is variable, and needs to be continually investigated. In the present study, the PCR method had a good correlation with toxigenic culture. Thus, it can replace the laborious and costly cell culture method.

Molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated among hospital staff nasal carriers of Babol, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus (s. aureus) nasal carriers, particularly the healthcare staff can be considered as a potential source for the spread of resistant strains. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular characterization of S. aureus strains isolated among the staff nasal carriers in one of the teaching hospitals in Babol. METHODS: A total of 120 nasal swabs were taken from the staff of Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital Babol during 2016. The antibiotic resistance pattern was performed by disc diffusion method for 13 antibiotics, including cefoxitin, cephalothin, teicoplanin, vancomycin, daptomycin, oxacillin, amoxicillin, amikacin, linezolid, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, erythromycin, rifampin, according to the CLSI 2015. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect mecA and pvl genes. Finally, the different SCCmec types were determined by multiplex- PCR method. RESULTS: Among the 120 collected specimens, 40(33.3%) S. aureus isolates were approved. 28(70%) of strains were identified as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the frequency of pvl gene was confirmed 2(5%). Based on the multiplex PCR assay, four different SCCmec types were detected as 35.7% type I, 14.2% type III, 7.1% type II and 3.5% type IV. By a disc diffusion method, no resistance pattern was observed to vancomycin, while 100% of strains were resistant to amoxicillin. CONCLUSION: Consequently our results illustrated that isolated S. aureus strains among the staff nasal carriers via mentioned molecular characterization may lead to increase the nosocomial persistent infections in hospitalized patients and also health care workers.

Integron-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Intensive Care Unit Patients, Babol, North of Iran.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the integron types and their relation with antibiotic resistance among A. baumannii isolates collected from intensive care unit patients, Babol, north of Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 73 bronchoalveolar lavage samples were obtained from patients in ICU. Susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method. Types of integrons were identified by an integrase gene PCR. RESULTS: In total, 47.9% A. baumannii isolates were recovered from the BAL samples. All isolates were resistant to ceftazidime. 91.4% and 58.3% of isolates were MDR and XDR, respectively. The rate of colistin resistance with the E-test was 5.7%. Molecular analysis of class I, II, and III integrons showed that 25.7%, 88.6%, and 28.6% of the isolates carried the intI, intII, and intIII genes, respectively. DISCUSSION: Our results show that different classes of integrons are commonly spread among A. baumannii strains and these genomic segments can play an important role in the acquisition of MDR and XDR phenotypes. So monitoring drug resistance in A. baumannii isolates with the use of int gene PCR is very important to plan specific infection control measures to prevent the spread of MDR-AB and XDR-AB in Iran's hospitals.

Determination of Helicobacter pylori virulence-associated genes in duodenal ulcer and gastric biopsies.

Background:Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori or Hp) has been strongly associated with the peptic ulcer diseases, chronic gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer. Genes associated with pathogenicity have been designated for H. pylori, and some of them appear to be related to more severe clinical consequences of the infection. The present study was conducted to determine cagA, vacA, cagE, iceA1, oipA, and iceA2 genes in H. pylori strains isolated from gastroduodenal patients, who referred to Shariati hospital in Tehran, Iran. Methods: Gastric biopsy specimens were collected during endoscopy from patients, who referred to the Shariati hospital in Tehran, Iran during January and November 2015. After isolation of H. pylori from the biopsy culture, genomic DNA was extracted and subsequently used to identify H. pylori and virulence genes using specific primers. Results: The isolation rate of H. pylori strains was 65.7% (169/257). The frequency of cagA, vacA, cagE, iceA1, oipA, and iceA2 was 143 (% 84.6), 169 (100%), 131 (77.5%), 97 (57.3%), 89 (52.6%), and 72 (42.6%), respectively. Conclusion: In this study, a significant difference was observed between investigated genes and strains isolated from PUD and GC patients (p<0.05).

Wolbachia Endobacteria in Natural Populations of Culex pipiens of Iran and Its Phylogenetic Congruence.

BACKGROUND: Wolbachia are common intracellular bacteria that infect different groups of arthropods including mosquitoes. These bacteria modify host biology and may induce feminization, parthenogenesis, male killing and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Recently Wolbachia is being nominated as a bio-agent and paratransgenic candidate to control mosquito borne diseases. METHODS: Here we report the results of a survey for presence, frequency, and phylogenetic congruence of these endosymbiont bacteria in Culex pipiens populations in Northern, Central, and Southern parts of Iran using nested-PCR amplification of wsp gene. RESULTS: Wolbachia DNA were found in 227 (87.3%) out of 260 wild-caught mosquitoes. The rate of infection in adult females ranged from 61.5% to 100%, while in males were from 80% to 100%. The Blast search and phylogenetic analysis of the wsp gene sequence revealed that the Wolbachia strain from Iranian Cx. pipiens was identical to the Wolbachia strains of supergroup B previously reported in members of the Cx. pipiens complex. They had also identical sequence homology with the Wolbachia strains from a group of distinct arthropods including lepidopteran, wasps, flies, damselfly, thrips, and mites from remote geographical areas of the world. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that Wolbachia strains horizontally transfer between unrelated host organisms over evolutionary time. Also results of this study indicates that Wolbachia infections were highly prevalent infecting all Cx. pipiens populations throughout the country, however further study needs to define Wolbachia inter-population reproductive incompatibility pattern and its usefulness as a bio-agent control measure.

Resistance patterns of Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infection.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases and Escherichia coli is its common cause. The aim of this study was to assess the resistance patterns of E.coli in urinary tract infections and to determine the susceptibility of E.coli to commonly used antimicrobials and also to evaluate the options for empirical treatment of UTI. METHODS: This study was conducted in the Ayatollah Rouhani Teaching Hospital of Babol Medical Sciences University in North of Iran. Between January of 2013 to December 2013, antimicrobial susceptibility tests were done by disk diffusion and microdilution method. Growth of >=10(5) cfu/ml was considered as positive urine test. Ten commonly used antibiotics were examined for susceptibility test. Data and the results were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: E.coli grew in 57 urine samples. Imipenem, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin were the most sensitive antibiotics at 87.7%, 87.7% and 78.9% respectively. Whereas, cotrimoxazole, cefexime, cefotaxcime and ceftriaxone were the most resistant antibiotics. Antibiotic sensitivity of disk diffusion compared minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) detected by microdilution had the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 82%, 98%, 99% and 74%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Imipenem, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin should be used in empirical therapy of UTI.

Nosocomial emerging of (VIM1) carbapenemase-producing isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae in North of Iran.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The rapid emergence and dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains and other members of the Enterobacteriaceae poses a considerable threat to the care of hospitalized patients and to public health. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of metallo-ß-lactamases (MBL) and VIM-1 gene in multidrug-resistant strains of K. pneumoniae. METHODS: 50 isolates of non - duplicated K. pneumoniae cultured from patients at intensive care units were tested for their susceptibilities to 13 different antibiotics using microbroth dilution assay. Isolates showing resistance to at least one of the carbapenems were checked for production of metallo-ß-lactamase (MBLs) using imipenem-EDTA synergy tests. PCR was used to detect the gene encoding VIM-1 metallo-ß-lactamase (MBL). RESULTS: Of 50 clinical isolates, 26 (52%) were resistant to imipenem in disk diffusion method. Using imipenem-EDTA synergy tests, production of MBL was detected in 15 (30%) isolates. PCR assay showed that 15 isolates were positive for VIM and these included 10 and 5 isolates showing positive and negative results in phenotypic method of MBL detection test respectively. Amikacin was found as the most effective antibiotic against the MBL producers in this study. CONCLUSION: The emergence of bla(VIM-1) producing K. pneumoniae in North of Iran is concerning. Microorganisms producing bla(VIM-1) constitute the prevalent multidrug-resistant population of K. pneumoniae in that region.

Investigation of Class I Integron in Salmonella infantis and Its Association With Drug Resistance.

BACKGROUND: Infection with non-typhoid Salmonella (NTS) is one of the most important health problems all over the world. Antimicrobial drug resistance is increasing among Salmonella infantis species. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of presence of class 1 integrons in S. infantis species as well as its association with drug resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 50 S. infantis isolated strains, collected from chicken samples between 2009-2011. These strains were identified by standard biochemical tests and serology. Antibiotic susceptibility profiles and minimum inhibitory concentration determination for 14 antibacterial agents were performed using micro dilution and disk diffusion methods. The detection of class 1 integron was performed by the PCR method. The demographic and microbiological data for the integron positive and negative isolates were compared by SPSS software. RESULTS: Eighteen out of 50 (36%) of isolated S. infantis species had intl gene. The isolated bacteria were sensitive to cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin (100%). Also isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid, tetracycline and streptomycin. All isolate with class 1 integron were multidrug resistant. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study showed that due to increased level of drug resistance in S. infantis and the presence of class 1 integron in these strains, resistance can be transferred to other food borne pathogens.

Molecular detection of integron genes and pattern of antibiotic resistance in pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from intensive care unit, shahid beheshti hospital, north of iran.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important pathogens that causes nosocomial infections and shows high level of antibiotic resistance. Integrons are one of the transposable elements in bacteria and their role in antibiotic resistance has been well demonstrated. The aim of this study was a molecular characterization of the integron genes and the determination of the resistance or sensitivity pattern to ceftizoxime, cephizoxim. cephotaxim, amikacin, ofloxacin, imipenem, cefepime, ticarcillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, cefazolin and ceftriaxone antibiotics in P. aeruginosa strains isolated from Intensive Care Units (ICU), Shahid Beheshti Hospital, North of Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed from 2011 to 2012. Totally, fifty four P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from ICU at Shahid-Beheshti hospital, Babol, North of Iran. The bacteria were diagnosed based on mobility, pigment production, growth in 42(0) C, oxidase and catalase tests. PCR analysis was carried out to detect integron genes using hep 35 and hep 36 primers. Also, disk diffusion method was performed to evaluate antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria using ceftizoxime, ceftazidime, cephotaxime, amikacin, ofloxacin, imipenem, cefepime, ticarcillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, cefazolin and ceftriaxone antibacterial reagents. This study revealed that 20 (37%) P. aeruginosa isolates had integron genes. The antibiotic susceptibility test showed that 53 (98.1%) of the isolates were multidrug-resistant. 12 out of 54 isolated bacteria were resistant to all antibiotics tested. All bacteria were resistant to cefepime and the highest resistance rate was seen to ceftizoxime 92.6% followed by cefazolin 92.3%. The lowest resistance rate was observed to ciprofloxacin 38.9%, ofloxacin 44.4%, amikacin 46.3% and ticarcillin 48.1%. According to this study, P. aeruginosa isolates showed high level of antibiotic resistance and the presence of integrons in these strains can explain the influence of these genes in resistance creation. There was a significant association between resistance to cefotaxime, amikacin, ofloxacin, imipenem, ticarcillin, gentamicin and the presence of integrons.