Prevalence of Carbapenemase Production in Pseudomonase Aeruginosa Isolates from Clinical Samples

This study aimed at the prevalence of carbapenemase production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from clinical samples. A total of 50 samples were collected using sample bottles and swab sticks respectively and were brought to the Microbiology Undergraduate Research Laboratory, University of Uyo for bacteriological analysis. Out of 50 total samples, 6 (12.0%) tested positive. The six isolates were subjected to conventional antibiotic testing. The antibiotics used were Imipenem 10 µg (IMI). The result shows that Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA-3) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA-4) offered complete resistance to imipenem 10 µg. The results of the screening for production of carbapenemase that was carried out on the three (3) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates which include PA-2, PA-3 and PA-4. PA-3 and PA-4 showed the presence of a cloverleaf-like indentation at the intersection of the test organism and the E. coli growth in the presence of Imipenem (10 µg). In a setting where almost half the P. aeruginosa isolates are carbapenem resistant, treatment options are very limited, and antibiotic susceptibility testing is crucial. Hence, the need to preserve the antibiotics we have now by embracing antimicrobial stewardship. The exceptional prevalence of carbapenemases in Nigerian hospitals highlights the global rise in carbapenem resistance mediated by carbapenemases and emphasizes the necessity of limiting the continuing spread of antimicrobial resistance.