Detection of bla(IMP) and bla(VIM) metallo-β-lactamases genes among Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.

Acquired Metallo-β-Lactamases (MBLs) are emerging resistance determinants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other gram-negative bacteria.Using Combination Disk Diffusion test, it was found that among 83 imipenem non-susceptible P. aeruginosa strains, 48 (57.9%) were MBL producers. PCR and Sequencing methods proved that these isolates were positive for blaIMP-1 genes, whereas none were positive for bla(VIM) genes. The mortality rate due to MBL-producing Pseudomonas infection was 4 (8.3%) among the hospitalized patients. Therefore, identification of drug resistance patterns in P. aeruginosa and detection of MBLs producing isolates are of great importance in the prevention and control of infections.