Identical Miniature Inverted Repeat Transposable Elements Flank Class 1 Integrons in Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter spp.

Abstract

Miniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs) have been identified flanking class 1 integrons. We have identified and characterized a 439-bp MITE-like structure in seven Acinetobacter species isolates from Portugal and Brazil. The complete sequence similarity of the elements and flanking regions suggests that MITEs may act as mobilizable vectors for the dissemination of integrons.