Abstract

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This study was intended to find the extent of occurrence and prevalence of carbapenem resistance Pseudomonas aeruginosa from urine samples from both clinical and non-clinical settings in Ebonyi state. A cross sectional study was carried out from April-December 2021 in Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Microbiology Laboratory Ebonyi State amongst individuals using a pre-tested, selfadministered questionnaire. A total of 185 urine samples were isolated from three (3) health institutions and four communities all in Ebonyi state and isolation of microorganisms and proper identification were done using standard microbial techniques. The sensitivity of the isolated organisms to commonly used antibiotics (Oxoid, UK) was determined by Kirby-Bauer diffusion method. Results for ESBL production shows that of the 185 isolates under study, ESBL production was seen in 35.7% (66/185) Pseudomonas aeruginosa by MDDST, only Cefepime and no other third generational Cephalosporins showed synergism with amoxicillin-clavulanate to five isolates of P. aeruginosa. Out of 185 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, 32(17.3%) were carbapenem resistant, while 12(6.5%) of the isolates were confirmed as carbapenemases producers. DNA extraction of New-Delhi Metallo beta-lactamase genes (NDM-1) using Agarose gel electrophoresis shows that New-Delhi Metallo beta-lactamase genes were present at Lane 6 of NDM-1 gene band (950bp) and Lane A represents the 100bp molecular ladder of 1500bp. This increase in resistance and the presence of NDM-1 genes can be attributed to abuse of antibiotics in humans and animal settings. Hence formulation of good policy, usage of antibiotics by government agency is advocated and it’s monitoring and enforcement encouraged

Keywords: Antibiotics, Resistance, Kirby-Bauer, Carbapenem, Modified double disc synergy test (MDDST). New-Delhi Metallo beta-lactamase (NDM), Occurrence