Abstract

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Multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been known to cause infections among hospitalised patients leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Carbapenems are usually deployed for treating these infections. This work focused on molecular characterisation and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of wound infections due to Pseudomonas species from four major hospitals within Maiduguri, Nigeria. Four hundred and twenty non-duplicate wound specimens were collected from surgical units of four hospitals within Maiduguri metropolis between February 2020 and October 2020. The samples were analysed for Pseudomonas species and molecularly identified using standard methods. Pseudomonas species constituted 72 (17.1%) of the isolates, with P. aeruginosa being responsible for 68 (94.4%); the remaining were P. putida 2(2.8%) and P. fluorescens 2(2.8%). The highest prevalence of 36.8% was in the 21-40-year age group, with 66% being males. (P<0.05). Resistance was documented at 100%, 83.6%, 35.3% 29.4%, 27.9% and 4.4% for ceftazidime, aztreonam, meropenem, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and piperacillin-tazobactam, respectively. Genotypic characterisation of the P. aeruginosa isolates was positive for blaVIM, blaIMP. An alarmingly high level of carbapenem resistance was discovered among Pseudomonas species from our study population, with the presence of VIM and IMP. This finding will serve as a guide for empiric therapy of infected surgical wounds among our patients. To effectively tackle the menace of antimicrobial resistance, strict adherence to antimicrobial stewardship guidelines, infection prevention and control, and the need for improved surveillance; employing the One Health approach need to be universally adopted.

Keywords: Carbapenemases, insurgency, molecular characterisation, Pseudomonas species, wound infection