Search

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) environment associated microorganism that causes infections in animals and human. The present study aimed to determine antibiotic susceptibility patterns and molecular characteristics of P. aeruginosa. The molecular typing of P. aeruginosa isolates was also performed. Poultry meat and meat product samples (n=110) were collected. The samples were inoculated on MacConkey and cetrimide agar for cultural identification and isolation. Gram staining and biochemical tests were performed for confirmation. The confirmed isolates of P. aeruginosa were then used for antibiotic susceptibility testing against commonly used antibiotics including meropenem, amikacin, aztreonam, azithromycin, enrofloxacin, and gentamicin. The virulence genes including exoU, exoS, lasR, rhlR, algD, pslD, and blaTEM were detected in selected MDR isolates of P. aeruginosa. Among the poultry meat samples, P. aeruginosa was more prevalent (50%) in fresh meat samples than others [frozen meat (40%) and meat products (8%)]. Confirmed isolates were Gram-negative, catalase positive, oxidase positive, beta-hemolytic, and citrate-positive while colorless growth on MacConkey's agar and green color growth on cetrimide agar was observed. In antibiotic sensitivity testing, results indicated that in poultry meat and meat product isolates, all P. aeruginosa isolates were highly resistant to azithromycin (83%). High resistance rate was also observed for aztreonam (67%), gentamicin (58%) and enrofloxacin (50%) and all P. aeruginosa isolates were highly sensitive to meropenem (84%) followed amikacin (75%). In molecular detection of virulence genes, poultry meat samples, exoU, algD, and their genes showed comparable prevalence (80%). The prevalence of drug resistance genes in P. aeruginosa from poultry meat samples was as follows; blaTEM (95%), tetR (0%), exoU (25%), exoS (30%), algD (80%), pslD (85%), lasR (85%) and rhlR (80%). In summary, the presence of virulent genes in P. aeruginosa isolates enables them to harbor antibiotic resistance and acts as an MDR public health pathogen with the potential to transfer to humans via the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections acquired from hospitals and community. Pseudomonas and Proteus species are the common cause of these UTIs. Generally, UTIs are self-limiting but have potential to re-occur. Extensive treatment therapy with antibiotics lead to the development of resistance in uropathogens. The development of antibiotic resistance is leading to the failure of currently available antibiotic based therapies thus making the situation worse. The objective of the present study was to access antimicrobial sensitivity and to characterize antibiotic resistant genes of Proteus vulgaris (P. vulgaris) isolated from patients suffering with UTIs. A total of 150 urine samples were collected and cultured on MacConkey agar medium followed by isolation and identification on blood agar medium. Biochemical characterization of all presumptive Proteus isolates was done using Remel Rap ID one kit. Antibiotic sensitivity for P. vulgaris isolates was performed by disc diffusion method. Presence of blaTEM and qnr antibiotic resistant genes was determined by PCR. The results showed that the overall prevalence of P. vulgaris in clinical samples was 11.3%. It showed maximum resistance (94%) to three antibiotics i.e. ampicillin, tigecycline and chloramphenicol, while least resistance was observed against imipenem (12%). Statistical analysis depicted that imipenem had a significantly larger zone of inhibition (P=.01), while ampicillin had significantly smaller zone of inhibition (P=.0004) followed by chloramphenicol (p-value = 0.002). Imipenem should be considered as an effective antibiotic to treat urinary tract infections associated with P. vulgaris. Both blaTEM and qnr genes were found to be involved in conferring resistance to ß-lactam and quinolones antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]