Prevalence of efflux genes and ribosomal protection genes among tetracycline-resistant Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from diarrheic patients in Iraq

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of tetracycline-resistant Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from clinical sources in Iraq, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Materials and Methods: A total of 822 samples were collected from patients suffering from diarrhea. Isolates were identified using biochemical tests, Vitek 2 system, and 16S rRNA specific primer. PCR was used to detect tetracycline-resistant isolates. Results: Out of the 822 clinical samples collected, 13 Aeromonas spp. isolates (1.58%) were recovered, out of which eight isolates (61.53%) were identified as A. hydrophila. Results found that all tetracycline-resistant isolates carried at least one of the tet genes examined. Among efflux genes, tet (A) was most commonly observed in isolates, followed by efflux tet gene (tet B and C) and ribosomal protection protein (tet O). However, efflux genes tet (D and G) were not detected in any of the isolates. Conclusions: The prevalence of tet O chromosomal protection protein among A. hydrophila isolates was first recorded in Iraq and in many other neighboring countries