identification of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in helicobacter pylori isolates from gastrointestinal patients

Background and objectives: the expanding antibiotic resistance of helicobacter pylori isolates is a critical concern for global health. this research aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pmqr genes, including qnra1-6, qnrb4, qnrb1, qnrs, qepa, and aac(6´)ib-cr, among h. pylori strains isolated from patients at qazvin hospital. materials and methods: in this study, 212 patients with gastrointestinal diseases who were referred to qazvin hospital underwent endoscopy, and gastric biopsies were collected. h. pylori isolates were confirmed by biochemical and molecular tests. pcr was performed to detect the virulence genes baba2 and saba. subsequently, the presence of the pmqr genes qnra1-6, qnrb4, qnrs, qnrb1, qepa, and aac(6')ib-cr were molecularly identified. results: 149 (70%) of isolates were phenotypically and molecularly confirmed as h. pylori isolates. of the 149 isolates, 102 isolates (68.45%) with baba2 and 120 isolates (80.53%) with saba genes were identified. frequencies of the genes qnra1-6, qnrb4, qnrb1, and qepa were 8 (5.36%), 4 (2.68%), 12 (8.05%), and 13 (8.72%), respectively. notably, qnrs and aac(6´)ib-cr genes were not detected in isolates. conclusion: the findings of this study confirm that regular monitoring of antibiotic resistance genes is essential to prevent the further spread of pmqr resistance genes and to optimize clinical decision-making.