Determination antimicrobial resistance profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Taleghani Hospital (Ahvaz, Iran) from 2011-2012

Background & Objective: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a rod-shaped, Gram-negative, glucose-nonfermenting aerobic bacterium. It is widespread in natural environments and it is an opportunistic pathogen for humans that can lead to a broad spectrum of disease such as urinary, burn, respiratory infections, and septicemia. The aim of this study was to determe antibiotic resistance profile of P. aeruginosa strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Taleghani hospital (Ahvaz, Iran). Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 111 P. aeruginosa strains isolated from hospitalized patients. Clinical specimens were cultured on microbiological media. Subsequently, drug susceptibility test was performed using the disc diffusion method according to CLSI recommendations. Results: The more P. aeruginosa strains were from wound specimens (48.6%). In antimicrobial susceptibility testing, colistin exhibited the greatest anti-Pseudomonas activity (78.3%). Isolates demonstrated resistance to beta-lactam antimicrobials such as antipseudomonal penicillins, including piperacillin and carbenicillin. Conclusion: The spread of these bacteria in hospital personnel and wet areas could be a suitable reservoir of resistance genes. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance profile and the effect of hospital equipment and personnel in the dissemination route of resistance genes.