Prevalence of Biofilm-Related Genes and Biofilm Forming Ability among Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESPseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen in the health-care system and a leading causative agent of high mortality in hospitalized patients significantly, immunocompromised. Biofilm formation system involves expression of various virulence factors and development of drug resistance that causes prolonged patient infections. This study was performed to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern, biofilm formation and frequency of biofilm-related genes in P. aeruginosa strains.MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of ۱۲۳ isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected from different clinical specimens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed to detection of Multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa (MDRPA) isolates. In order to evaluate the biofilm-forming isolates, microtiter plate (MTP) method was carried out. Also, the prevalence of biofilm genotype patterns (PslA, PslD, PelA, PelF and AlgD) was detected by Polymerases Chain Reaction (PCR).RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONAccording to our findings, the most resistance and susceptibility rates were found in ceftazidime with ۷۴.۷% and ciprofloxacin ۴۲.۲%, respectively. Also, wound isolates had the highest level of resistance and meropenem were the most active antimicrobial agent against them. In total, ۸۶.۱% P. aeruginosa isolates were found as MDRPA, of which ۶۱.۳% were able to form strong biofilm. The highest and lowest frequency of biofilm-related genes among biofilm producer isolates belonged to PelF ۸۲.۱% and AlgD ۵۵.۲%, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe findings of the conducted study indicate a significant relationship between MDRPA and biofilm genotypic/phenotypic patterns, and suggest the necessity of careful surveillance program in hospital settings. Administration of anti-biofilm agents could be an alternative approach for eradicating of resistant isolates, which are life-threatening pathogens worldwide

کلیدواژه ها:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa ، Antibiotic resistance ، Biofilm-related gene ، Nosocomial infections