Detection of blaOXA-10 and blaOXA-48 Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates by Multiplex PCR

The rapidly increasing extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a threat to health. This study aims to detect the rpoD gene and blaOXA-10 and blaOXA-48 genes in imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa clinical isolates simultaneously by multiplex polymerase chain reaction.

Eighty-five culture plates were collected from patients suspected of Pseudomonas spp infection in Ghaem Hospital and Shahid Shourideh Clinic in Mashhad from January to February 2021. After biochemical identification of P. aeruginosa isolates and the measurement of antibiotic resistance, blaOXA-10, blaOXA-48, and rpoD genes were investigated by multiplex polymerase chain reaction in the imipenem-resistant isolates.

Of 82 P. aeruginosa isolates, 38 (46.34%) were resistant to imipenem, with the highest percentage to carbenicillin (69.5%). All imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates were confirmed by multiplex PCR using the primers that targeted the rpoD gene. Also, in multiplex PCR, among imipenem-resistant isolates, 10 (26.3%) and 9 (23.6%) had blaOXA-10 and blaOXA-48 genes, respectively.

In addition to molecular identification of P. aeruginosa, the present study simultaneously detected blaOXA-10 and blaOXA-48 genes by multiplex PCR. Application of this multiplex PCR, rapid identification of patients, and timely treatment can reduce the β-lactamase gene prevalence in P. aeruginosa clinical isolates.