Integrons play an essential role in spreading antibiotic resistance genes among Escherichia coli isolates. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of class 1 and 2 integrons amongst Escherichia coli isolates producing broad-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in patients with urinary tract infections referred to Ahvaz teaching Hospital in 2017-2018. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, isolates were determined using conventional methods. Antibiotic susceptibility was measured by agar disc diffusion method. Production of ESBLs enzymes was measured via double disc method. Finally, presence of genes related to class 1 and 2 integrons was done using specific primers and Polymerase chain reaction method. Amongst 123 Escherichia coli ESBLs producing isolates the highest resistance was related to Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Cotrimoxazole and, Nalidixic acid, respectively, and the least resistance was related to Imipenem. About 84 (68.29%) isolates had multiple drug resistance (MDR). Additionally, 93 (75.60 %) isolates had class 1 integron and 11 (8.94 %) isolates had class 2 integron. There were no significant relationships between the presence of integrons and resistance to different antibiotics (p > 0.05). High prevalence of class 1 integron amongst Escherichia coli isolates producing broad-spectrum β-lactamase may contribute to resistance to common antibiotics. Therefore, identifying frequency of integrons and their relationship with drug resistance patterns seems to be necessary.
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