The bug with the metallic gun - in the corridors of a peripheral medical college and hospital, India

Abstract

Context: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an obsessive invader in the hospitals worldwide. It has powerful antibiotic resistance mechanisms, one of such being metallo beta lactamase, which is taking away from our hands our last resort, carbapenem group of antibiotics, to fight them. Not only they possess this metallic gun, they are exceptionally good gun dealers also, as the genes producing this metallo beta lactamase resides on plasmids and hence, are easily and efficiently transferrable among other bacteria, Thus it becomes a present day concern to detect the presence of MBL positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa in every hospital to have a powerful and effective antibiotic regimen in the future also. Aims: To determine the presence and extent of MBL positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Midnapore Medical College, West Midnapore district, West Bengal, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 630 samples were processed, out of which 112 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found. Among these, 20, were found to be imipenem resistant and these were subjected to EDTA impregnated imipenem disc potentiation test. Discussion: Out of 112 P. aeruginosa , 8 isolates (7%) turned out to be MBL producers. Also, a high susceptibility pattern was found for aminoglycosides. Conclusion: Although we found a low prevalence of MBL producing P. aeruginosa , still it is worrisome. Constant vigilance and careful selection of antibiotics are necessary.