Clonal Relatedness among Imipenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from ICU-Hospitalized Patients

Abstract EN

Imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.

aeruginosa) has become an increasingly important problem in healthcare settings worldwide.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate clonal spread among imipenem-resistant P.

aeruginosa isolated from ICU-hospitalized patients.

Totally, 150 wound specimens were analyzed.

Antibiotic resistance profiles and clonal diversity were evaluated using Kirby-Bauer’s disk diffusion method and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA- (RAPD-) PCR, respectively.

The isolates showed a high frequency of antibiotic resistance against meropenem, and imipenem (100%) followed by ciprofloxacin, and ceftazidime (90%); meanwhile resistance to polymyxin B was not observed.

Eighteen (40%) of P.

aeruginosa isolates were MBL-positive via ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) combined disk test.

Our findings showed high genetic diversity, with 37 different RAPD types detected.

RAPD typing results showed cross-acquisition of P.

aeruginosa in investigated hospital, suggesting failure in infection control practices.

Incidence of MBL-positive isolates is high and should be regarded as a threat to hospitalized patients.