Evaluation of antimicrobial resistance, biofilm forming potential, and the presence of biofilm-related genes among clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Published in: BMC research notes Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 27 - 6
• Main Authors: Kamali, Esmat, Jamali, Ailar, Ardebili, Abdollah, Ezadi, Freshteh, Mohebbi, Alireza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 10.01.2020; BioMed Central Ltd; BMC
• Subjects: Amikacin; Aminoglycoside antibiotics; Antibacterial agents; Antibiotics; Antimicrobial agents; Antimicrobial resistance; Beta lactamases; Biofilm formation; Biofilm genes; Biofilms; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Biosynthesis; Carbapenems; Ceftazidime; Clinical isolates; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Drug resistance; Drug therapy; Evaluation; Fluoroquinolones; Genes; Genetic aspects; Imipenem; Infection; Infections; Laboratories; Lactams; Levofloxacin; Life Sciences; Medical research; Medicine/Public Health; Meropenem; Microbial drug resistance; Microbial mats; Multidrug resistance; Nosocomial infection; Phenotypes; Piperacillin; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections; Pseudomonas infections; Research Note; Tazobactam; Virulence factors; β-Lactam antibiotics; Iran; United States > US; Germany; Biofilm genes; Biofilm formation; Antimicrobial resistance; Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• ISSN: 1756-0500; 1756-0500
• DOI: 10.1186/s13104-020-4890-z

Objectives Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known as a leading cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. Antimicrobial resistance and biofilm production, as two main virulence factors of P. aeruginosa , are responsible for the persistence of prolonged infections. In this study, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of biofilm of P. aeruginosa were investigated. Results A total of 80 clinical P. aeruginosa isolates were obtained. Isolates showed resistance to all antibiotics with a rate from 12.5% (n = 10) against amikacin and piperacillin/tazobactam to 23.75% (n = 19) to levofloxacin. Multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa accounted for 20% (n = 16). 83.75% (n = 67) of isolates showed biofilm phenotype. All three biofilm-related genes were found simultaneously in 87.5% (n = 70) of P. aeruginosa and 13.5% (n = 10) of the isolates had none of the genes tested. From the results of the present study, combination therapy including an anti-pseudomonal beta-lactam (piperacillin/tazobactam or ceftazidime) and an aminoglycoside or carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem) with fluoroquinolones in conjunction with an aminoglycoside can be used against Pseudomonas infections. However, reasonable antimicrobial use and high standards of infection prevention and control are essential to prevent further development of antimicrobial resistance. Combination strategies based on the proper anti-pseudomonal antibiotics along with anti-biofilm agents can also be selected to eradicate biofilm-associated infections.