Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern and Presence of Beta-Lactamase Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains Isolated from Hospitalized Patients, Babol-Iran

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has recently emerged as one of the main causes of nosocomial infections in the intensive care unit due to vast antibiotic resistance potency. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance pattern and evaluation of the frequency of beta-lactamase genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Generally, 42 P. aeruginosa strains were collected from different clinical specimens. The phenotypic and genotypic tests such as disc diffusion, Modified Hodge test and molecular detection of blaIMP, blaIMP1, blaVIM2, and blaKPC genes were performed. According to the results, by disk diffusion method 33 (78.58%) to Cefotaxime, 31 (73.8%) of strains were resistant to Ceftriaxone, and 31 (73.8%) to Co-trimoxazole, while the lowest resistance was observed in case of Polymyxin B 3 (7.15%). On the other hand 4 (9.52%) of strains were recognized as MHT positive. Moreover, 26 (61.9%) of isolates were detected as multi drug resistance strains. In addition, 2 (4.7%) of isolates harbored blaIMP, 2 (4.7%) blaIMP1 and 10 (23.8%) blaVIM2 genes, whereas the blaKPC gene was not reported. According to the results, the prevalence of beta-lactamase genes and antibiotic resistance pattern in patients with high levels of hospitalization is essential. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the strains containing β-lactamase genes for better control and treatment.