Abstract

Objective: To isolate, identify and characterize Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) from hospital drains using culture-based and PCR methods. Methods: Wastewater samples were obtained from hospital drains between August and October, 2015, using standard culture-based methods for isolation of P. aeruginosa. The isolates were further confirmed by specie-specific primer sets. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: The mean P. aeruginosa population densities were expressed ranging between (1.7 × 105 ± 0.1) and (6.1 × 105 ± 0.2) CFU/mL. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the P. aeruginosa isolates revealed that all the isolates 96/96 (100%) were resistant to penicillins (amoxicillin and cloxacillin) as well as penicillin/β-lactamase inhibitor (augmentin) while sensitivity was observed in carbapenems [imipenem 96/96 (100%)]. The multiple antimicrobial resistance index of the P. aeruginosa to the antimicrobials used ranged from 0.33 to 0.89 while the multidrug resistant profile revealed resistance to augmentin, amoxicillin, cloxacillin. Conclusions: The present study reveals that hospital drains are potential reservoirs of multiple antibiotic resistances of P. aeruginosa.

Authors and Affiliations