Integron-Associated Multidrug Resistance among Gram-Negative Bacteria: A Review

Multidrug Resistance (MDR) by Gram-negative bacteria is no longer a mystery as studies by researchers has revealed that integrons are amongst the genetic elements responsible for antimicrobial resistance. Integrons are known to consist of Integrase gene, attI site and promoter region. Integrons harbours gene cassettes containing various MDR genes. Polymerase chain reaction and Gel electrophoresis are one of the common ways of detecting integrons in Gram-negative bacteria. As at the time of this review, 4 classes of integrons have been discovered by scientists with only class 1 – 3 known to be capable of inducing antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. However, class 4 integrons found in Vibrio cholerae does not contain gene cassettes probably making it difficult for researchers and scientists to link it to antibiotic resistance. In Nigeria, integrons survey seems to have only been carried out in the south. Thus, it is imperative to conduct studies regarding the presence and distribution of integrons in the North and other areas where the survey has not been carried out in order to create awareness and promote antimicrobial resistance vigilance. The search for novel anti-integron genes compounds should be encouraged in order to tackle the antimicrobial resistance problems in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria.