Informatics in Biology, Health and Food

Informatics in Biology, Health and Food

Isolation and Characterization of Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains from Clinical Isolates

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Microbiology, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Siences, Mashhad, Iran.
2 Department of Microbiology, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Siences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a critical bacterial pathogen that plays a major role in hospital-acquired infections, particularly among patients with weakened immune systems, chronic illnesses, or severe burns. The treatment of these infections has become challenging due to the bacterium’s broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to isolate and identify carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains from clinical samples. A total of 126 P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from various departments of Imam Reza Hospital. The isolates were identified using biochemical methods. Antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, piperacillin-tazobactam, amikacin, gentamicin, and cefepime, while the minimum inhibitory concentration for imipenem was determined using the E-test. The prevalence of blaGIM and blaSHV genes was assessed through PCR. The results showed that 41.26% of the isolates were obtained from urine cultures, followed by body secretions (35.15%) and tracheal samples (10.31%). The highest frequency of isolates (26%) was recorded in the intensive care unit. Among the 126 isolates, resistance was most prevalent against ciprofloxacin (73%) and least against amikacin (61.2%). Additionally, 69% of isolates were resistant to both imipenem and ceftazidime, 68% to cefepime, and 65% to gentamicin and piperacillin-tazobactam. Carbapenem-resistant strains exhibited MIC values exceeding 32 µg/ml. A total of 81 multidrug-resistant were identified. While the blaGIM gene was not detected in any isolate, 71% of the samples harbored the blaSHV gene. The high prevalence of antibiotic resistance observed in this study highlights the significant impact of unregulated and excessive antibiotic use. This growing resistance substantially complicates the effective treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.
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Volume 1, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
December 2024
Pages 40-51

  • Receive Date 25 October 2024
  • Revise Date 17 November 2024
  • Accept Date 25 November 2024