Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of P. aeruginosa Isolates in the West Bank-Palestine for ESBLs, MBLs and Integrons

Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular characterization of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) and integrons among clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Biology and Biotechnology, An-Najah National University-Nablus, Palestine, during October 2015-April 2016.

Methodology: Fifty-one clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were obtained from different health centers in the West Bank-Palestine. Genes of ESBLs, MBLs and integrons were tested for in the isolates by conventional and/or molecular methods.

Results: This study showed that 21.6% of P. aeruginosa isolates were ESBL producers using conventional methods. The prevalence of MBLs by conventional and molecular methods was 60.8% and 29.4% respectively. The most dominant MBL gene among MBL-producing P. aeruginosa isolates was blaVIM gene (60%), while the prevalence of blaIMP and blaSPM + blaVIM among the MBL-producing P. aeruginosa isolates was 33.3%, 6.7% respectively. Neither blaGIM nor blaSIM was detected. Result of the current research showed that 23.5% of P. aeruginosa isolates carried class I integrons. In these clinical isolates neither class 2 nor class 3 integrons were detected. Analysis of ERIC-PCR profiles of 15 P. aeruginosa isolates harboring MBL genes showed 4 identical clones circulating among the hospitals from which isolates were collected.

Conclusions: The present study showed high prevalence of MBLs and ESBLs among clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa in the West Bank-Palestine. Based on results of this study, effective measures should be taken to control the spread of ESBL- and MBL-producing pathogens including P. aeruginosa.