Comparison of Different Phenotypic Tests for the Detection of Metallo-B-Lactamase (MBL) Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa

MBL production has been increasingly reported among Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is an important nosocomial multidrug resistant pathogen. 2,3 Metallo beta lactamase (MBL) belongs to Ambler class B enzymes. With the help of divalent cation zinc as cofactor for enzymatic activity, they hydrolyze carbapenem as-well-as other blactam antibiotics. The substrate spectrum of this enzyme is quite broad, as it can hydrolyze penicillins, cephalosporins and carbapenems, but it lacks the ability to hydrolyze aztreonam. 4 Genes responsible for MBL production are IMP and VIM and they are coded by plasmids which in turn are involved in transfer of resistance from one bacteria to another. 5 Chromosomal MBL was first International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 10 (2017) pp. 3231-3238 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com