Applying multiplex PCR to detect VEB, DIM and AmpC genes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated at Saint Paul and Thanh Nhan Hospitals

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common agents causing nosocomial infections, opportunistic infections. There are a variety of antibiotic resistance mechanisms in P. aeruginosa such as: extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production, overexpression of efflux pump genes, inhibitions of porin channels, and changes in membrane permeability. P. aeruginosa has caused a lot of difficulties for clinicians in choosing appropriate treatment methods. In this study, we used multiplex PCR technique to detect ESBL (blaVEB), MBL (blaDIM) and AmpC coding genes in the strains of P. aeruginosa isolated at Saint Paul and Thanh Nhan Hospitals from 2010 to 2015. A total of 216 strains were studied, and the results showed that 40 (18.51%) strains had the blaVEB gene, 1 (0.46%) strain carried the blaDIM gene, 193 (89.35%) strains carried the AmpC gene. Out of them, 1 (0.46%) strain carried both the DIM and AmpC genes, and 38 (17.59%) strains simultaneously carried both VEB-AmpC genes. These results highlighted the antibiotic resistance gene diversity of P. aeruginosa strains in the study as well as pointed out the importance of infection control activities in hospitals to prevent the spread of these agents and achieve treatment effectiveness.