PSEUDOMONAS- AN EMERGING NOSOCOMIAL PATHOGEN.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Tushar Gautam,
Room No. 105, KIMS Men’s Hostel,
24th Main Road, Banashankari 2nd Stage,
Bengaluru-560007, Karnataka, India.
E-mail: drtushargautam@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common pathogens causing nosocomial infections, which is a major threat to patients’ safety. It is an opportunistic pathogen with innate resistance to many antibiotic classes. Resistance to carbapenems is often mediated by metallo-betalactamase production. It also expresses many extracellular virulence factors. The rising incidence of nosocomial infection stress the need to detect the pathogenic mechanism.

Aims and Objectives-

1. To identify and speciate Pseudomonas from various clinical isolates-
2. To detect antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Pseudomonas.
3. To detect metallo-betalactamase (MBL) production in Pseudomonas.
4. To detect virulence factors in Pseudomonas (haemolysin, gelatinase, deoxyribonuclease, bile aesculin, biofilm).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

150 samples were processed. Isolation, identification and speciation of the samples were done by conventional biochemical tests and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using CLSI 2017 guidelines by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Metallo-Betalactamase production was detected by combined disc diffusion test and E strip method. Virulence factors were detected by inoculating and incubating them on blood agar, gelatin agar, bile esculin agar, DNase test agar and biofilm by microtitre plate method.

Statistical Analysis- p value was determined by Chi square test using SPSS software

Setting and Design- It was a Descriptive Study conducted between December 2016 and May 2018 in the Department of Microbiology at a tertiary care hospital.

RESULTS

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (50%) was the major isolate. Antimicrobial susceptibility was maximum for meropenem (59%) and amikacin (59%). Metallo-betalactamase production was detected in 60 isolates by combined disc diffusion method and it was confirmed by E strip method which detected metallo-betalactamase production in 56 isolates. Maximum virulence factor produced was haemolysin (100%).

CONCLUSION

There has been a rising incidence of Pseudomonas nosocomial infection with resistance to multiple groups of drugs which is a serious threat. Preventive measures should be taken to prevent the spread of infection.

KEY WORDS

Pseudomonas, Meropenem, Amikacin, Metallobetalactamase, Virulence Factors.