BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of hospital-acquired infection due to its high antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation ability. P. aeruginosa produces elastase lasB during biofilm formation, which can influence properties of biofilm. This study was carried out to evaluate the antibiotic resistance and distribution of the lasB gene among biofilm-producing P. aeruginosa strains isolated from burn patients. METHODS: A total of 128 clinical samples were collected from burn patients. The P. aeruginosa isolates were identified using standard bacteriological procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by the disk diffusion method. Biofilm formation was measured by microtiter plate assay. The presence of lasB gene was detected by PCR. RESULTS: A total of 75 samples were positive for P. aeruginosa. A high rate of resistance was seen against ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and piperacillin/tazobactam. Biofilm formation was seen in 57.3% of the isolates and the prevalence of the lasB gene was 85.3%. Biofilm formation in isolates without lasB was lower and these isolates were more sensitive to imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we did not find a statistically significant relationship among elastase gene (lasB) presence, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa strains isolated from burn patients.
BACKGROUND:Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of hospital-acquired infection due to its high antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation ability. P. aeruginosa produces elastase lasB during biofilm formation, which can influence properties of biofilm. This study was carried out to evaluate the antibiotic resistance and distribution of the lasB gene among biofilm-producing P. aeruginosa strains isolated from burn patients. METHODS: A total of 128 clinical samples were collected from burn patients. The P. aeruginosa isolates were identified using standard bacteriological procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by the disk diffusion method. Biofilm formation was measured by microtiter plate assay. The presence of lasB gene was detected by PCR. RESULTS: A total of 75 samples were positive for P. aeruginosa. A high rate of resistance was seen against ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and piperacillin/tazobactam. Biofilm formation was seen in 57.3% of the isolates and the prevalence of the lasB gene was 85.3%. Biofilm formation in isolates without lasB was lower and these isolates were more sensitive to imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we did not find a statistically significant relationship among elastase gene (lasB) presence, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa strains isolated from burn patients.