Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an aerobic Gram-negative bacillus, is one of the primary causes of severe healthcare-associated infections, especially in people with compromised immune systems or those who are critically ill. It is common in patients with burn injuries, cystic fibrosis, and organ transplants, causing serious infections like pneumonia and septicemia. Carbapenem resistance, driven by mechanisms such as drug efflux and beta-lactamase production, including metallo-β-lactamases, poses a significant clinical threat. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains lead to nosocomial outbreaks with high morbidity and mortality. This study aims to assess the prevalence and resistance patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to optimize treatments and inform antibiotic policies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology for a period of one year (November 2022 to November 2023). In total, 118 clinical specimens were processed for identification and antimicrobial sensitivity testing using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique, following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. RESULT: Out of the 118 clinical samples, urine samples yielded the highest number of isolates (50%), followed by the pus samples (28.81%). Male patients accounted for 67.8% of the isolates, and female patients 32.2%. The highest prevalence was observed in the 41-60 age group, representing 33.90% of the cases. Eighty-seven percent of the isolates were from the inpatient department. In total, 28.86% of the isolates came from the surgery ward. Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrated the highest sensitivity to cefepime (31.3%), followed by amikacin (26.3%), and the slightest sensitivity to imipenem and piperacillin. CONCLUSION: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a frequently isolated organism and is becoming increasingly resistant to standard medications. Notably, aminoglycosides (such as amikacin) and cephalosporins (such as cefepime) demonstrated efficacy against Pseudomonas, though the frequency of MDR strains is rising. The current investigation provides valuable insights into the incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its susceptibility to various antibiotics, which will guide the adoption of improved patient care and infection control methods.