DETECTION OF METALLO-BETA-LACTAMASE GENES IN CLINICAL ISOLATES OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA IN GENERAL HOSPITAL, BIDA

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and a major cause of nosocomial infections especially in immunocompromised patients due to its extraordinary capability to acquire resistance to different antibiotics. Acquired metallo-beta–lactamase (MBLs) in Pseusomonas aeruginosa is worrisome and poses a great threat in terms of treatment and infection control. This study determined the antibiotic susceptibility and the prevalence of MBL genes in carbapenem-resistant P.aeruginosa isolated from different clinical samples in general hospital, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.Twenty five non-duplicate P. aeruginosa isolated from various clinical samples from general hospital Bida were included in this study Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method, while the phenotypic idetection of MBL-producing strains was carried out using the combined disc test. The MBL-encoding genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of the 25 P. aeruginosa strains, 7(28%) were resistant to imipenem. After carrying out the phenotypic detection test, 6 strains were identified as MBL-producers but only 1 (4%) harbored the blaVIM-1 gene. No other MBL gene was detected. In conclusion, this study established the presence of MBL genes among P. aeruginosa strains  in the study area. Therefore, there is need for stringent and regular surveillance in the use of carbapenems and the establishment of approriate control measures to curtail spread.