Detection of Alginate and comparison of drug susceptibility patterns in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates

Arthi K; Mangala A; Deepa R

Volume : VI, Issue : IX, September - 2017

Detection of Alginate and comparison of drug susceptibility patterns in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates

Arthi K, Mangala A, Deepa R

Abstract :

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an ubiquitous Gram negative motile rod has been implicated in causing multi-drug resistant nosocomial infections. It produces several virulence factors which enhance the colonization and infection of the host tissue. These include alginate,lipopolysaccharide, exotoxin A, leucocidin and enzymes such as proteases and phospholipases.This study aims to detect the virulence factor- Alginate and to correlate the alginate production with the drug susceptibility pattern. Assessment of the susceptibility patterns of the resistant isolates will guide us in charting out the infection control measures to curb the spread of virulent isolates and in turn reduce the morbidity and mortality due to Pseudomonal infections.Aim of the study: To detect the production of Alginate in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and determine the correlation between alginate production and drug susceptibility.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted between January-March 2017, in which 75 non-repetitive clinically significant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from various clinical samples. The antimicrobial susceptibility and production of alginate among clinical isolates were determined and the drug susceptibility patterns of alginate producing and alginate non-producing isolates were compared.Results: Alginate production was detected among 57% of the isolates and Alginate producing P.aeruginosa were reported to have decreased susceptibility to Piperacillin Tazobactam, Ceftazidime and Ciprofloxacin.

Conclusion: Detection of Alginate in P.aeruginosa and comparison of the drug susceptibility patterns between alginate producers and non-producers are essential to identify the virulent isolates which will play a keyrole in instituting effective infection control measures.